Teachers Write 2020 - Sunday Check-In #2

Welcome to the second Sunday check-in for Teachers Write this summer! Yesterday I spent the morning writing with these lovely people who joined the Story Exploratory Joy in the Journey workshop. These workshops energize me every time and as soon as we're done, I can't wait for the next one. 

We spent time reflecting on our life. We looked back, took time to center ourselves in the present, and also wrote letters to our future selves. Thinking about my life in the broad sense like this helped me recognize a few things that show the essence of me despite different experiences and where my life has taken me. 

This reminded me of the question Jess Keating shared for Teachers Write this week as she thinks about the people she has written about:

How did their passions and challenges mirror 

the broader picture of their life’s work?

I shared last week that I've been working on a memoir project. I've been writing a lot about myself but also writing about some women in my life and where our stories intersect. Jess' question gave me an opportunity to think see how I have art in common with the women I'm writing about. Our challenges might have been different but I can see an element of trust. We each have listened to our hearts to be able to find a way to persevere through those different challenges but ultimately, trust is there. I'm enjoying thinking about myself and these women in this way and finding inspiration and feeling empowered.

Writing is a way to honor those who came before us. This week we lost a legend when Representative John Lewis passed away. My older son and I heard him speak in May of 2017 and it was an experience I will never forget. He spoke with tenacity and conviction. He only took questions from youth. He urged them to get into good trouble. 

The auditorium was packed and the line to meet him was huge so I just snapped a picture with him in the background and told Jordan that we got to breathe the same air as him. I'm heartbroken that we have lost him but so inspired to have lived and that we got to hear him speak. He left a legacy and he will live on in us.

I hope you know that your words matter! Your stories matter! Every word we write is an act of resistance. Thanks for stopping by to check in. I can't wait to hear how you did this week. 

Teachers Write Sunday Check-In Agreements:

1. We respect each other and the type of writing we each do do.

2. We are positive and encourage each other at all times.

3. We recognize and maintain this as a safe, 
inclusive environment for all.

4. We have fun!

**I reserve every right to put the smackdown
on anyone who messes with our positive energy.**

Ideas for today in the comments section:

How did you do this week? Did you meet your weekly goal(s)?

What was the pit of your week? (The hardest part, the non-fun part?)
What was the peak of your week? (The best part, the most-fun part?)
What legacy do you hope to leave with your writing?

Bonus: I'm the co-host of the Words of Our World Challenge with my friend Carrie Baughcum, author of My Pencil Made Me Do It and co-host of Doodle and Chat. You can follow @storyexploratory and @carriebaughcum on Instagram and join us as we combine words + art. This week's theme was love and I hope what I created speaks to your heart.