It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
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We just returned from a holiday week in Georgia – visiting my “in-laws,” the family and friends that I gained through marriage. Each day was filled with many wonderful connections with others, sharing meals and conversation. As always, we did lots of driving, meeting loved ones in sundry locations. I enjoyed looking out the car window as we drove about, taking in the sights. I took a few photos.
On the long drive home, I reviewed my phone photos and amused myself with tinkering with the lighting, zoom, and other editing tools. I was fascinated by several ‘nature’ snapshots – a pretty sunset, passing clouds, the trees on one of our walks. I’ve included a few here – little moments of awe that I happened to capture, and now I am able to hold onto, longer.
It was challenging to write while we drove; I am glad I had the camera to help me collect memories. When we got home, I wrote and wrote, trying to record the highs and lows of our adventure. As with those nature photos I took, this is the purpose of my daily writing practice: to hold onto, longer. Writing helps me hold precious moments, whether with loved ones, or in nature, or simply in my imagination.
I hope to do lots more writing in this new year.
When we pulled into the driveway after our long trip, the shrubs were noisy with happy birds, and so I played with a haiku –
bevy of chatter starlings frolic in the bush welcoming us home
In this new year, I seek again to create poetry and prose that builds on the good things in my life and allows me to hold these close, to be present, and to savor.
Life is fleeting. How might I hold it? Hold onto Hold up Hold fast Hold strong Holding My one little word for 2024 is hold.
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Precious post, and perfect choice, “HOLD.” There are so many beautiful “word pictures” that add to the album:
“family and friends that I gained
through marriage
little moments of awe.
Writing helps me
hold precious moments, to hold onto,
longer,
to be present, to savor.
Life, fleeting:
Hold on…”
Thank you, Trish! That’s exactly what I hope to achieve this year – writing lots more ‘word pictures,’ to hold on to memories.
Maureen,
Hold is a wonderful OLW. I wonder if shifting the focus of writing instruction to emphasize holding onto learning, holding onto memories, holding onto life might be a way to entice students to hold tight to these precious, fleeting moments. I really like your word choice and the way you lead readers to hold your word.
Thanks, Glenda! I began thinking about the many meanings of ‘hold’ about a month or so ago – how we ‘hold’ each other up, how I love moments that ‘hold,’ how I want to ‘hold’ up during these trying times…it just felt like the perfect word for me this new year.
I am stuck indoors today. Thank you for vicarious nature through your writing and photographs. Beautiful colors, and light, and textures, and open road, and bare branches, and blurry sunset cool warmth.
Good word.
Thank you, Stephanie! We didn’t get outside enough – but I was fascinated that I captured some beautiful nature shots even from my carseat.
Maureen, hold is such a comforting word. I think of babies, of memories, of dancing. Making the moments last, holding as support, even holding coffee cups as we sip and chat – and holding pens as we write. So many great things to hold! Happy New Year, and may your word hold all the best in 2024!
Thank you, Kim! There are so many great things to hold!
I love how you “held” off revealing your word until the end of your post. I love to meander among my photos too!
Hold is filled with possibility! I may have to consider it for a future word!