#SOL24-27 Voices

It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life." 
Thank you  Two Writing Teachers for creating this supportive community
of teacher-writers!

So many voices yesterday, so much noise – one of those days when this introvert caves inside herself, yearning for quiet alone time, which appeared only as a mirage throughout the day. It is only now, the day after, that I am in my own thoughts and able to reflect. 

Cue a song, Mama said there’d be days like this.

No, please, no songs.

I am my own worst enemy at times. It was I that said, Hey! We might have batteries! when Bird discovered that her Elsa doll had an empty compartment on her back, hidden deep under that icey blue gown. At three years of age, Bird is all about dressing and undressing, whether herself or her dolls. I don’t know that I had ever witnessed Elsa in her bare plastic birthday suit. I never knew she had batteries – fascinating! Elsa is a hand-me-down from older sister; I had never heard the doll speak. Why didn’t I clue in that there might be a reason for this silencing of Elsa? There we were, looking for batteries of the right size, finding a small screwdriver to open the compartment, loading in the triple A’s, and voila! Big smiles all around. Push play!

Hi, I’m Elsa of Arendelle, she squawked, followed by the ear worm song, three simple words, two chirpy times: Let it go!! Let it go!!

Over and over and over again. Bird was absolutely delighted. Talk about pushing my buttons.

A painful while later, Bird undressed Elsa’s partner in crime, Anna, in search of a battery compartment. There wasn’t one! I didn’t know whether to do cartwheels at the absence of this, or advocate to Disney corporation for Anna’s right to speak. 

Yes, it was a noisy day with little Bird; this is but one stark example. Days with grandchildren are always livelier than my ‘normal’ life. Then, we were in the car driving her home, dropping her off. Bird clutched Elsa in her carseat and heeded my request to keep Elsa silent. When Mom reached in, to unbuckle her daughter, she inadvertently touched the on button on the silent one and

Hi, I’m Elsa of Arendelle. Let it go!! Let it go!! echoed throughout the car.

The look on my daughter-in-law’s face! Ha! Hours later, here I am still chuckling. She said “SOMEONE put batteries in Elsa!,” and Bird said joyfully “Yes, Mama! Elsa talks!”

(After three years of not speaking, I think this is an achievement for Elsa.)

From babysitting to school theater : we hurried to a 6:30 p.m. showing of Peter Pan Jr. at my old school. One hour of excitement and enthusiasm by the whole student body. I’m not exaggerating when I say ‘the whole student body’ – the cast includes students from second grade through middle school. The school is proud to perform theater that is intentionally inclusive, student-led, and student-centered. The elementary students perform in chorus and dance ensembles, while the middle schoolers carry the lead roles. Students manage the backstage, lighting, microphones, promotional materials, ticket sales, everything. The school has been abuzz with this production for weeks on end. The play was offered four different evenings, and last night was its final showing. 

I do wish the sound system was better – there were moments when I couldn’t discern what someone said or sang; however, joy was radiating throughout the auditorium. I was overwhelmed and awed by seeing so many former students, all at once. I retired in June 2020, and even my little three year olds from that last year of teaching were there on stage as second graders. So many hellos, hugs, and good wishes. My high of the night: witnessing a formerly nonverbal, special needs student on stage singing in a chorus – there are not enough words to describe this beautiful emotion.

Elsa, Anna, Peter, Wendy, too, too much. A very, very good ‘too much.’

How happy I am to be in silence today.

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