life piles up
towers over us
leering, judging
we work
with heart
giving up pieces
to the pile
till it, we, fall
then
life piles up
maybe today
walk away
from anything
without a heart
It’s easy to be busy. I’m always busy. There’s always something else I could be doing. Teaching is great for that. You’re never really done. And so, this week I’ve been trying to not always be the wrong kind of busy. The kind that involves staring at a screen. To be the other kind of busy, the one that involves spending more time with students and colleagues. More heart.
nothing happens next
this is it! and this is it !
and this is it too!
We read A Stone For Sascha by Aaron Becker in class yesterday and talked about time and how things change. Again, I tried to step back and give the kids time to speak. I still find that hard, feeling the need to fill the spaces. A beautiful, wordless book all told. His Journey trilogy is still some of my favourite picture books.
These words are from the comic of two monks that I have had rattling around inside my head for the longest time. And talking about time has brought it back, again.
Music is Rosie Thomas - These Friends of Mine
we hear, but
don’t, can’t absorb
you’re ready
when you’re ready
Stupid challenge. Been thinking a lot about realising things. Then realising these are things you’ve read, been told, were first thought long ago. But it didn’t matter. You’re ready, when you’re ready.
a few
lines each day
condensing thoughts
packaging them
releasing them
letting go
We talked as a family of doing a challenge. The kids said they would do a lap around our compound but that’s changed to just going outside after school. Lyra’s is to read everyday. I’m going to write a poem.
a term time shadow
of myself, and my glory
a choice I have made
I feel like a different person in the holidays. Like work takes so much of me that I am a shadow of myself during term time.
I undo my shoe laces.
I have a single resolution this year. Just that one. I will endeavour to complete this task regardless. I won’t avoid it when I’m tired or anxious. When I’m stressed or angry. I will always do it. I can’t not, really. It takes seconds. If I can’t do this then I can’t do anything. But in my head I will remember the converse. I I can do this, I can do anything. So I do this thing so that I can do anything. I have a thousand more resolutions. I pick them up from the ground. I borrow them from friends and family who give them with love. I steal them from strangers whom I silently give thanks to. I do them until they become habit or until I let them fall because they didn’t work. They are not resolutions for the year but for-ever and ever or for just this moment. Both work. I have many, but one that matters.
It feels like,
It’s not just getting
Time
To yourself .
It’s having time,
With the right
Frame of mind.
Which is where I fall down.
each haircut
each set of outgrown clothes
each start of a new school year
moves us closer to that thing we dread
our kids growing up
our kids leaving
this is not to depress you
it’s to help you enjoy now
while it’s here
while they are
the past is past
put our mistakes behind us
stop being distracted or too busy
rededicate ourselves — to parenting
our most important job
let us begin afresh, afresh, afresh
for
today is the very last time
they will be this age
again
Paraphrased from Daily Dad
Day 9 Yumo was looking over the back of the sofa, like a meerkat. Tigger and his blanket held tightly. Daddy? Yes Yumo? He makes a kissing noise with his mouth. Good morning Yumo
❤️
