Last year, I ended the Slice of Life Challenge with a little poem called The Other Side. Last year, getting to the other side of March felt like a finish line. The writing was the accomplishment. The friends and community an added bonus.
This year, I look back at March 1st and feel like that was a lifetime ago, life was certainly different then. Who would have imagined that we’d be living in this quarantined world, reimagining what it means to interact with friends and loved ones, how to teach students remotely, and how to stay safe and healthy? Now, on March 31, somehow the writing doesn’t feel like as significant, but the community…everything.
There is a clear turning point in my posts this month and I am grateful for the documentation of this period of time, that still feels so unreal. I know that I will look back at this writing, in another time, and these words will bring me back to these moments and these feelings.
This year, more than ever, this writing community has kept me going. When I felt lonely and disconnected, I knew I could turn to your words, your comments, and your existence to know that I was not alone. Our words connect us and, for that, I am grateful. Your slices often served as an escape from the four walls of my home, the demands of family, and my work. In a time of isolation, I felt connected.
Every finish line is another starting line. We made it. Despite all of the added challenges that this March brought, we made it to the other side. I hope to see many of you back here each Tuesday, for the opportunity to connect and share. Thanks for sharing your words and your energy.
Thank you to all of The Two Writing Teacher co-authors for fostering this beautiful space. You are appreciated.
Where There's Joy 
>This year, more than ever, this writing community has kept me going.<
Truer words have never been spoken. This Slice of Life Challenge has been a surreal experience to say the least. It's the written word that have kept me somewhat grounded. The silly posts, the pictures, the kind comments, all of it has been a lifeline to the world.
Thanks for the reminder how much we need each other and a forum where we can connect! 🙂
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Your final slice of this surreal month captures so well your feelings. I especially like how you compared it to last year. What a difference it was this year. So glad we were in this community together! Stay well!
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Love this line: “Every finish line is another starting line.” I believe this to be true as well. Your writing beautifully contrasts today’s final post to last year’s. Thank you for all your support and comments this month- much appreciated! And from TWT, you are welcome 🙂
Hope to see you next Tuesday! Be well.
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Every finish line is another starting line. This is the line that sticks with me too. It was quite a month and your words summed it up so beautifully.
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In some ways, I want the daily sharing to continue. Agree that the community, which was always cyber – not like so many that were real life turned cyber due to covid – is everything. It is priceless, that we had this space to document pieces of this time. Yay you for getting here!
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You are so right. I joined the challenge midway this year and I am so glad I did. Having a written record of this time will be so important. Slicing has helped with the processing of all that we have gone through and will continue to experience for the next month or more. I look forward to the celebratory slices at the end of this. The stories of all of us connecting again with family, friends, and hopefully our students.
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This is just so filled with truth. I think it’s interesting, your idea that the writing was less important than the community this year. I so agree that it was this community, a community that we could all count on each and every day, that held us up through this very strange and scary time. I’m almost afraid of tomorrow, where we will have to manage without reading each other’s slices, commenting, and writing.
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Oh don’t you worry…I’ll see you tomorrow and share many comments with you!
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Community has definitely been so important through all this. I have also found more meaning in sharing and reading others’ posts than in the past. Thanks!
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So true, Jess – community is everything. Here we’ve muddled through and found clarity, some peace, and lots of courage, by writing and responding to one another. While it’s hard to write a post a day, I will miss this daily communion. Thank you for being the inspiration you always are.
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Thanks, Fran!
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Our words connect us and, for that, I am grateful. Your slices often served as an escape from the four walls of my home, the demands of family, and my work. In a time of isolation, I felt connected- I feel the same way! Thanks for getting me interested in this. Not sure why I didn’t start sooner.
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Better late than never!
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“In a time of isolation, I felt connected.” Yes. This month really was a gift, though when we started I didn’t know it would be. I am glad that you write and happy to be connected to you through all of this. See you on Tuesdays – though I’ll think of you while trying to teach & parent every day!
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This made me laugh. When it gets tough…know you are not alone! Also, this reminds me, I need to replenish my stash of bribes.
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Your posts have lifted my spirits many days. I love your optimism, and I want to thank you for your thoughtful responses. This challenge has been really helpful and I agree with you that it’s been a lifeline. See you on Tuesdays!
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Writing as testament — your slice sums up that notion and reminds me why I want to continue past the finish line of this particular challenge. Be well.
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Yes! I wasn’t sure I was going to Slice this year but decided to at the last minute because I knew I would miss the community. And what a gift I gave myself with that decision because this community has sustained me every day this month! We needed it so very much.
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So lovely…the gift you gave yourself. I’ve often felt that this space and my writing is a form of self care.
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It is the community and it has made a difference I so agree. Thanks for this reflection.
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I agree- our writing this month is historic. I’m glad we were here to read each other’s stories and be together. Hoping to see many back on Tuesdays.
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Thank you for all of your words of wisdom and leadership in helping me navigate both “The Slice Challenge” and this crazy time. I could not have done it without you. You have made this month not only bearable but connected and safer for me. 🙂
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Thanks Wendy! I’m so glad you’ve joined this community. I’ve enjoyed reconnecting and I hope you’ll be back on Tuesdays!
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I love this line: “Now, on March 31, somehow the writing doesn’t feel like as significant, but the community…everything. ” It’s so true. I love how you articulate this feeling that I think so many of us have.
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This says it all. The writing was a stress, but what it provided was a blessing. The month would have been harder to endure without this community. Thank you for saying this so well.
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I’ve put off slicing all day because of many of the ideas you captured in this post. It doesn’t feel like a finish line at all to me this year. It feels more like the cutting of a lifeline. It’s been my space of connection, and Tuesdays are going to feel very far apart. Maybe we’ll connect with more shared lessons.
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I feel the same way…a lost life line. Tuesdays feel far away now, but they’ll start coming fast. I’d love to share more lessons! I have so many ideas!
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What a wonderful community it is, you have captured that so well in your slice!
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