Slice of Life Story Challenge 2020 Day 17

Today, March 17th, 2020, I’m participating in Two Writing Teachers’ Slice of Life Story Challenge.

On Sunday, the unthinkable happened.  I napped.  Collapsing onto the couch, I briefly attempted to remember the last time this happened.  I couldn’t remember.  No matter, I thought.

Then I wondered, “My god, what will the kids do?”  My wife had already dozed off.  I could hear her gentle breathing from the couch adjacent to the one I now occupied.  I listened.  In the dining room, three little voices.  Chattering about drawing, negotiating colored marker use, discussing next steps about . . . well, something.  The tone in their voices held contentment, engagement. They were cooperating.  Playing.  So, I guess I don’t need to worry?  Afternoon sun flooded the room, and my eyes felt heavy. So I closed them.

And then it happened.  I fell asleep.  Not sure how long I was out.  But when I awoke, I realized I’d taken a short break from worry.  From anxiety.  From decision-making. From housecleaning.  From dishes.  From laundry.  From home-school planning.  From my phone.  From my laptop.  From all of it.

Just for a little bit.

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.

20 thoughts on “Slice of Life Story Challenge 2020 Day 17”

  2. Your description of your daughters talking and working together reminded me of my daughters. I’m so grateful they have each other right now. We have many similar moments, where they’re all clicking. Other times… not so much. But they have each other.

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  5. Naps are a great reset. Your description of the children’s voices and the sun flooded room and your wife’s easy breathing almost made me take a nap! Glad you had that break.

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  7. I took two naps yesterday! I think I’m still recovering from my book fair and the last week of school, exhaustion exacerbated by the changes brought about by COVID-19. I remember the days when the kids were little, though, worried about something happening if I closed my eyes for too long. Sounds like everything was fine, and you needed the rest!

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  8. I love this. ❤️
    It is easy for teachers, leaders, & parents to feel like we are always on, must always have it under control. It’s challenging to lean into NOT holding onto everything until our knuckles turn white. I am glad you did, and I am glad you saw it worked out okay, too. 😊

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  10. I slept poorly last night and am trying to figure out how to take a nap when I am sure my children will not want to join me. I can’t sleep when they are awake. I need to. I should. They’ll be fine.

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  13. You described a nap to the perfection (and of course the three little voices collaborating ;). In Spain, people take naps very seriously. I think it’s a good habit that maybe we should reincorporate in our lives. One of my dad’s partners who is a very busy lawyer and works in a well -known studio in Chile, has a couch in his office, and after lunch he closes the door and takes a 20 min nap every day. Thanks for your slice. When I want to read refreshing thoughts, and good writing, I always return to your corner 🙂

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      1. Don’t worry. I really don’t visit yours so you read mine 😉 This year is one we won’t forget for the hardship around it. I am glad we are all chronicling, and hopefully we can read them in the future with relief.

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  16. It is in the moment when you hear the little voices discovering independent play where you have permission to doze, sleep, nap or rest. The little naps are the best because they are unplanned but absolutely needed. I bet you’ve been dreaming of a nap ever since! Great slice!

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