It is Tuesday and time to write a 'Slice of Life."
Thank you Two Writing Teachers for creating this supportive community
of teacher-writers!
Years back, when I was part of a ‘new minister search committee’ for my church, someone opined –
“All ministers have basically five great sermons - everything they preach falls into those five themes.”
This thinking stuck with me, leaving me wondering – is that true for my writing, as well? Do I just go round and round, talking over and over about the same thing?
I have enjoyed Two Writing Teachers’ Slice of Life for many years, where I hone in on some experience from the previous week. As an early childhood teacher, there have been many slices about young children, and now that I am retired, my focus is often my grandchildren. I frequently write about my family, especially time spent with my husband and our travels. I enjoy writing about nature.
I strive to write about something unexpected that has happened, perhaps something as simple as an interaction with a stranger. Overall, I think these personal narratives do fall into five basic themes –
capturing a moment in the present how things change over time looking at things from a different perspective how to be in community with others how grief works
and I suppose there is sometimes a 6th, which is a big messy conglomeration of all of the above.
What is the catalyst for this rumination of mine? My oldest grandchild is turning 5 this month. How in the world have five years gone by?
Now, I am looking through the past five years of my writing and trying to create a memory book – the poems and essays that I have written about this dear child. I’m not sure if this memory book is for her or me, lol.
I am just amazed at the passage of time.
What are your top five topics or themes of writing?
I’ll close with a short poem of this week’s surprise – an unexpected day with our soon-to-be- five-year-old granddaughter, because she was sick.
unwell tiny feet are wedged against my hip pinning me to this corner of the couch she sleeps in a folded z holding my hand tightly the inconsistent rap of her breath an intermittent low moan dark shadowed eyes and sweaty locks of hair poor sweet miserable one how many hours of my life have been intertwined with a sick child watching the chest move up down wondering if their symptoms are worsening time stands absolutely s t i l l until they are up and running again
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Memory Book is a wonderful idea. I hope you will have a joyful time creating it.
Maureen, I can see you with your little sick Z package. This poem is rich and full of love. Right now, I feel like I can’t even think about what five topics I write about, but I’m curious. Maybe I will add it to my list of possibilities for the future like describing my inner critic and cheerleader (inspired by Terje today). Whatever your five themes are, I always enjoy seeing what you are going to write!
Maureen, the imagery of the folded Z and the sweaty child on the couch, breathing with a chest rising and falling, illustrates the misery of the sickness and the concern of family when a child is not at their best. I hope she feels better soon! I also enjoy the idea of the five great sermons and the spinoffs of these that lead down to more specific pathways for life’s applications. What did I hear once? That there are about that many actual stories, and all stories follow one of those plot lines with their own specifics? It does make me wonder about talking in circles – – or writing in them. I always enjoy the stories about your grandchildren and your times creating art and enjoying nature.
I relate so well to this post. When I retire, I will probably have fewer things to write about, but maybe not. It seems every time I open the blog, something spills out. I love this poem for your sweet five year old. Leo will be 5 in December. Already there are so many moments I didn’t write down. Cherish every day.
Like the other readers, I love your poem. I also find your question and reflection very interesting. I know some of us , at the end of each March, do a little study of our writing- how many poems, what topics, etc. I know I am trying to avoid my usual topics but then should I? They say write what you know… Good questions to ponder.
I echo everyone here about the poem, the wait for “up and running again,” such a terrific way to capture the dynamos that are five-year-olds, their indefatigable motors going—until they can’t.
Your large question though, gets to me. I often look at the titles of all my posts and see recurring themes. I, too, try to write about something new, but themes emerge consistently. Willa Cather said we get most the stuff of our writing life, I’m thinking she means character, by the time we’re 15…hmmm. What do you think? (I want to explore this more in a post…thanks!)