Slice of Life Story Challenge, Day 5 #sol19

Hands at her sides, she moves close to me.  The movement feels familiar, the request a silent one.  Pick me up, Papa, she says without saying it.  Although she is nine now and a big girl, she still issues the request from time to time.  The request to scoop her up off the floor and whisk her upstairs to bed.

Bending down, I oblige, kissing the top of her head as I do so.  My first baby, I think.  Such a big girl now, but still little.

Daughter securely in my arms now, we pivot toward the stairs.  “Wait, Papa, my book!”  Using a left hand, she points to the thick Harry Potter book on the coffee table.  So I bend my knees, allowing her to gather her beloved text.  So silly of me, I think, never would she want to go to bed without reading.  Now with an armload of precious cargo, we head up the stairs.

As a parent, many times…many times, I feel I’ve failed on multiple fronts.  Should have done that better.  Shouldn’t have done that.  Need to get to this.  Haven’t taught that yet.  Did that wrong.  Parents reading this likely know what I mean.

But tonight, I feel success.

Author: Lanny Ball

For more than 29 years, Lanny has taught, coached, presented, staff developed, and consulted within the exciting and enigmatic world of literacy. With unyielding passion and belief in the possibility of workshop teaching, Lanny has worked to support students, teachers, and school administrators around the country in outgrowing themselves as both writers and readers. Working first as a classroom teacher, then as a coach and TCRWP Staff Developer, Lanny is now a literacy specialist, working and living in the great state of Connecticut. Outside of literacy, he enjoys raising his three ambitious young daughters with his wife, and playing the piano. Find him on this blog, as well as on Twitter @LannyBall. Lanny is also a former co-author of a blog dedicated to supporting writing teachers and coaches that maintain classroom writing workshops, twowritingteachers.org.

9 thoughts on “Slice of Life Story Challenge, Day 5 #sol19”

  1. They grow up very fast. In ten years she will be gone, so please, keep doing what you are doing. I can picture you holding her tightly. How much I miss those moments! I guess I have to wait I have grandchildren but I am at the age that I am old enough to have them but my kids aren’t there yet.

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  3. Oh, how I miss those days. Mistakes will always be made. I guess that is what makes us human, but do not dwell on that. Cherish those times when you know all is good with the world.

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  6. So sweet! Yes, we parents always second guess our choices. After our adult kids leave after a visit, my husband and I often look at each other and say, “I guess we did OK.” Being a proud parent never gets old.

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  8. OH Lanny….what you captured here. So precious. I know EXACTLY what you mean. I’ve been reading Harry Potter with my 8 year old son too. I was never a fan the first time around but reading Harry with him is helping me understand the magic.

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