July 5, 2016
The Two Writing Teachers website (https://twowritingteachers.org/challenges) puts out a personal challenge to write a "Slice of Life" story every Tuesday. As a Fellow of the San Diego Area Writing Project and having just completed the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project Summer Institute, I know full well that if I am to be a teacher of writing, I must be a writer myself. So, no more putting it off, no more making excuses about not having enough time--who does, after all? I am making a commitment (and here I'm typing v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y to be sure I am going to really do this) to write and submit something every Tuesday. I invite my fellow teachers at Chula Vista Hills Elementary School to take on the challenge with me! So, here's my first Slice of Life story:
Summer--a carefree time. A time for teachers to unwind, stay up late, and read something other than student papers! Think sand, ocean breezes, beautiful sunshine, and an icy cold beverage. I was looking forward to all of that when, unexpectedly, I learned that a trial was finally taking place for the drunk driver who killed my nephew. Not a carefree time after all, but one that was long overdue. Two years, to be exact. So, for about two weeks at the end of June members of my family and I sat in a cold courtroom and relived those awful days of April 2014. I know my story is not unique. Throughout the trial, I kept thinking this has got to stop! Day after day families lose loved ones to drunk drivers. Why does it continue to happen?
Don't worry, I'm not here to rant! Instead, I want to acknowledge and express my deep appreciation for the jury who found the driver guilty on two counts of second degree murder (one count for each person he killed) as well as 5 other related charges. It took a day and a half for the jury to come to this unanimous verdict. I will never forget the voice of the court clerk polling each juror as to whether they agreed to the verdict, and each juror one by one stating a resounding, "Yes." So, here I am two weeks later, still processing all that happened, but breathing more freely, soaking in the sunshine, and feeling truly grateful. This may not be the summer I expected, but it's not a bad summer after all. My heart is finally at peace.
The Two Writing Teachers website (https://twowritingteachers.org/challenges) puts out a personal challenge to write a "Slice of Life" story every Tuesday. As a Fellow of the San Diego Area Writing Project and having just completed the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project Summer Institute, I know full well that if I am to be a teacher of writing, I must be a writer myself. So, no more putting it off, no more making excuses about not having enough time--who does, after all? I am making a commitment (and here I'm typing v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y to be sure I am going to really do this) to write and submit something every Tuesday. I invite my fellow teachers at Chula Vista Hills Elementary School to take on the challenge with me! So, here's my first Slice of Life story:
Summer--a carefree time. A time for teachers to unwind, stay up late, and read something other than student papers! Think sand, ocean breezes, beautiful sunshine, and an icy cold beverage. I was looking forward to all of that when, unexpectedly, I learned that a trial was finally taking place for the drunk driver who killed my nephew. Not a carefree time after all, but one that was long overdue. Two years, to be exact. So, for about two weeks at the end of June members of my family and I sat in a cold courtroom and relived those awful days of April 2014. I know my story is not unique. Throughout the trial, I kept thinking this has got to stop! Day after day families lose loved ones to drunk drivers. Why does it continue to happen?
Don't worry, I'm not here to rant! Instead, I want to acknowledge and express my deep appreciation for the jury who found the driver guilty on two counts of second degree murder (one count for each person he killed) as well as 5 other related charges. It took a day and a half for the jury to come to this unanimous verdict. I will never forget the voice of the court clerk polling each juror as to whether they agreed to the verdict, and each juror one by one stating a resounding, "Yes." So, here I am two weeks later, still processing all that happened, but breathing more freely, soaking in the sunshine, and feeling truly grateful. This may not be the summer I expected, but it's not a bad summer after all. My heart is finally at peace.
