Now and Then

This is the start of my ninth challenge. Here is my very first spontaneous post from 2017, when I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Then, I was a mom of two daughters, ages two and four. I was pregnant with my third daughter. Then, I thought my life was busy, balancing my work and home life. I was a sometimes writer. I wrote weekly letters to my daughters. I wrote with students as part of instruction in my role as a literacy coach. During that first season of slicing, I crafted many posts from my one of my daughters’ beds, late at night. I didn’t yet know the connections I would make through this space and the greater role writing would have in my life.

Now, I’m a mom of three growing girls, ages seven, ten, and twelve. On any given day, I’m juggling getting my busy kids to and from dance class, multiple sports’ practices, and still managing to get their lunchboxes filled and some semblance of dinner on the table. Now, I draft most of my posts on a computer, but occasionally, I publish something written on my phone from one of my kids’ beds. Now, I have friends in my every day life that write with me during the month of March and some all through the school year. I have also formed virtual friendships with people I have exchanged comments with through blog posts for many years. I’ve grown closer to all of these people through good times and bad. I have shared the joys of writing with others, sparking my own kids’ writing journeys and even bringing our school community together through writing each year.

As I scroll through hundreds of documented moments of my life, just what I’ve captured here on my blog, I’m grateful to have those pieces to look back at…to remember. Then, I didn’t know all the power and joy that would come from that decision to jump in and commit to writing. Now…I do.

That’s what brings me back, year after year.

Published by Jessica Carey

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I'm a mom of three daughters and a literacy coach in CT. I love to learn and share with others.

22 thoughts on “Now and Then”

  1. The time sure goes quickly! Your collection of moments and memories is priceless. I am grateful to be joining you for my sixth year. Cheers to a month of JOY!

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  3. What a great slice to begin the month! I enjoyed reading the comparison between then and now, and reading your first post, which enlightened me to how you chose your blog title!

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  4. I loved your reflection and commitment to writing! I also have three daughters and they have each married and now have little ones of their own! Time goes by and you look back through your writing and remember moments. Enjoy your girls and everything to come!

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  5. Yes, the community is what brings me back. I am a little jealous that you have this record of your children, sadly I started when mine were already adults- so many “lost” moments. I love the virtual friendships we nurture here.

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  6. “I had no idea what I was getting myself into.” – I think this is how most of us get into it. And it’s good. Not sure if I would have started because without the experience of the boost that comments give the time and writing struggle would have seemed daunting.

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  9. The way those moments and exchanges pile up to create a treasure trove of impressions blows me away. Now entering year 7, I feel the pull of these March days and community that always make me better, regardless of how I show up. You and your family have been a solid part of that process. Joy, yes, and all kinds of other real feelings.

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  12. You definitely summed up why I am back for year 14! While I do journal in a private just for me place, this public format makes my ideas more “important” and when I scroll back through the memories, I am transported back to those wonderful, sad, poignant moments of my life when I captured just a moment or two in time.

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  13. It’s interesting how much this challenge provokes reflection. I know that January is supposed to be the month that has two faces the backward look and the forward projection, but I guess for us, March first is like our new years day. I’ll be reflecting and projecting this month, trying to make sense of the past and be constructive about this crazy present. Looking forward to reading your posts.

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  17. I love this reflection; though I’ve been quiet in recent weeks, blogging here & “meeting” people like you has been one of the great joys of these past years. It really is wonderful – and your girls are SO GROWN now!!

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  18. Jessica,

    I read several posts about community and its inherent value we all share through TWT today. I love each one and am thinking about how important it is to nourish this treasure. I’m reminded from your post that there is a reciprocal connection here that isn’t always present on other social media sites. That alone is worth taking care of.

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  19. I like how rituals can help me feel grounded and also open space for reflection on my growth. Thanks for sharing with us!

    This is my first year joining since becoming a mom (ages 2 and 4), and I imagine it will feel quite different!

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  20. Enjoyed sharing your then and now posts! Nothing shows you how much time has changed than family changes! I haven’t found any other writing group quite like this one on this side of the globe. I love slicing, even when I can’t think of anything to write!

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