Most school days, upon arriving at school, I drop my stuff and head down to Dawn and Ashley’s room to check in. We talk shop, life, kids. We debrief on meetings, plan for upcoming events, troubleshoot situations happening. Today, I didn’t think I’d get a chance to check in. I was scheduled to do some work at another building. But, when I realized I forgot my laptop at school on Friday, I made a quick stop to pick it up. Because traffic was so light, I made another quick stop to Dawn and Ashley’s room. That’s where I found Dawn. I got my fix. A weekend update and even a quick hello to Ashley who joined us a few minutes later. I was set for the day.
Most school days, after dropping materials from whatever class I had just been in, I end my days in Dawn and Ashley’s room. Sometimes it’s just us, rehashing the day. Sometimes, other’s join us. People stop in for a hit of coffee, some chocolate, or some much needed conversation with a grownup (after a long day of teaching). Since I wasn’t working at our school today, I missed this daily ending.
Since we didn’t have a staff meeting today, I was able to stop downtown and run an errand. As I made my quick stop and headed back to my car, a car approached and the window rolled down. It was Dawn. She was also taking advantage of the meeting free afternoon and was running an errand of her own. What were the chances? She pulled into a spot and we spent a few minutes debriefing our days…like usual.
Just before parting for the night, I said, “This could be a slice. Do you already have one?”
She did. I didn’t.
Most school days, I’m grateful to begin and end my day with friends.
Where There Is Joy 
We seemed to use the same – good friends with a routine – to inspire our small moment writing this week. And we both used text messages to “show” it!
“That’s a slice” is such a powerful phrase to a writer! Thanks for sharing!
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Those routines matter, not just to kids. Maybe that’s why I have a little trouble keeping to this Tuesday slicing. Not a regular enough routine.
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We’ve called other many things but bookends is a new one!
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Great small moment, with bigger meanings! The true pleasure of good friendship and how lucky you are to have it on an almost daily basis. And I SO get the relief of talking with grownups after a long day with children! (As much as we love them…)
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What a lovely slice about the gift of friendship and the ways our lives intertwine.
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We probably could all collaborate on a book called – BUSY LIVES OF TEACHERS! I like that you and Dawn share your love of writing!
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I love the way your days are bookended with Dawn and Ashley. This day, in particular, was the intersection of multiple worlds — your life as a coach, parent, writer, human — colliding. Glad your wrote it down!
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So much heartfelt joy in your story-love the title. I have a friend that lives a few hundred miles away, and we will talk and discover more often than not, we’ve each done something the same that day! Not bookends, but treasured words on a page. 🙂
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I love days like that! Meant to be!
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It’s beautiful you’ve got friends at the both ends of your days. 🙂
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Love this so much – for so many reasons. Biggest thing is that you have described teaching friends so well. The way you can stop in their rooms, and why we need them…. Such joy. And then also the bookended day, and the thinking in terms of slices.. the great minds. Perfect.
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