This morning, I woke up to a work email that wasn’t about work at all. It was a slice of life from a colleague. Even though our school community is sharing slices this month, this one was meant just for me. She had mentioned it earlier in the week during bus duty, how she had written to process some big feelings. “This is not to publish,” the email said, “but as you have always told me—writing is power.”
My eyes welled the first time I read her words, and again as I reread them.
On Thursday, my sister will turn forty. Nearly twenty years ago, she moved to North Carolina to begin her life as an Army wife. Today, I sat down to write her a birthday letter—and once again, the tears came. As I wrote, I found myself reaching for words big enough to hold everything I want her to know, everything I wish she could feel if I could wrap my arms around her on her birthday.
Today, the words blur on the page, but they are holding me steady all the same.
“Writing is power.”
Where There Is Joy 
Jess, I love how your colleague carried your words with her—“writing is power”—and trusted them enough to write through something hard. That kind of ripple feels so meaningful. And then to see you turn to writing for your sister, holding both love and tears on the page, makes it even more powerful.
Thursday was a tough day for me at work, and I felt the urge to write it down to process, but because of the challenge, I decided not to; but I guess I should have, not to share it but because my soul needed it. Maybe I still can. Thank you for this!
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Because we live it we have come to believe in its power. There is so much strength in writing too. The strength comes from sharing. The connections we make when we share our writing with others is priceless. Every story told is a chance for understanding, perspective and connection. It is power and there is no right or wrong, it’s discovery.
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Love the idea of words big enough to hold everything. Lucky for you to have writing and lucky for your sister to have you!
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What a gift you have shared with your colleague. Writing can carry so much of the weight of emotions. Thanks for being brave and sharing your thoughts and words with us this month. Almost there. I will miss this daily writing.
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“Today, the words blur on the page, but they are holding me steady all the same.” – What a powerful sentence! I’m thankful this challenge has given me an opportunity not only to write but also to read the powerful words of fellow slicers.
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You have many quotable lines just in this small writing sample. I know that in the past, I have commented on your writing now and then that there’s a picture book in here. I think you have the foundation of a more important book–a book about writing and power and community. I’d be happy to talk about it.
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Thanks for always spotting something greater. Let’s talk.
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Words big enough to hold everything is an awesome line, and I do agree, writing is power. Writing allows one to release and purge what sometimes cannot be said. Your story has me thinking of times when the power of writing helped pull me through a situation or two. Thank you. 🙂
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This is a powerful little piece of writing. You have both encouraged others to use writing for the power it holds and you continue to use writing in powerful ways. Isn’t this really what we are trying to pass along to the students we teach? (Maybe a book about writing is next for you!)
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I agree that writing is power! I didn’t know that until I started slicing. I love how you used the example of writing your sister a birthday card. When my son was born, I couldn’t even express how much love I had for him or how much my life has changed!
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Jess,
”Writing is power,” and as educators each person in this community is spreading that message to hundreds. Glad you’re there for your colleague and your sister.
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