Wednesday, March 31, 2021

A Journey to 31 Days


“I just can’t learn a second language,” he said as he rubbed his hands through his hair and stared at the chromebook screen.  

“Yes, you can,”  I replied automatically, then added, “and I’m here to help you.  We just need to focus on one step at a time.”


Tonight I sit at the table with my son and feel distraught that he doesn’t embrace school, and learning, like I did in high school.  I fret over his future and the few choices he may have because of the decisions he is making now.  I look at his list of assignments and the late work that he needs to complete for multiple classes and I feel as overwhelmed as he does.


When we have author visits at school, I’m always fascinated by the authors that share that they really weren’t very good at school and that they didn’t do well.  And yet here they are, successful published authors, entertaining large schools of children and seemingly enjoying their careers.  These success stories permeate other books and articles that I read in all parts of my life.


I don’t predict that my son will be a successful children’s author or someone famous enough to have a book or article written about, or by, him, but the success stories give me hope.  They remind me that the journey is long and takes many paths.  That all is not lost for this young 15 year old with so much potential.


In high school, although I took an AP course load, I wasn’t a confident writer.  I don’t remember a lot of writing instruction except for grammar lessons, I just remember challenging writing assignment after challenging writing assignment.  This lack of confidence followed me into college and again although my course load was rigorous (and I majored in English!), I struggled with writing and writing confidence.  


Writing professionally has taught me so much about myself as a writer and myself as an instructor of writing. This writing challenge even more so.  I’ve pondered participating in the SOLC each year but the idea of starting a blog held me back:  What would I write about?  Do I really want people reading my writing?  Can I keep up with writing each day?


But journeys are long and there are many paths.  Here I am...I have a blog of my own and it has 31 posts!  I’m very proud, very grateful and a little more confident.  (*Fran & Joanne...although total strangers, you felt like my biggest cheerleaders with your daily responses, thank you so very much - it actually makes me a little teary!*)


My thoughts turn back to the task at hand. I remind my son to get focused on the article he’s reading and we tackle this STEM chemistry project together.  Japanese homework is next.


10 comments:

  1. "In high school, although I took an AP course load, I wasn’t a confident writer. I don’t remember a lot of writing instruction except for grammar lessons, I just remember challenging writing assignment after challenging writing assignment."
    Oh my! Can I ever relate to those words!
    I was very much like you, and still struggle with writing, even though I'm doing my 5th SOLSC challenge. I've learned much through Two Writing Teachers and the Slice of Life challenges, and plan to continue doing so. This is a great community to learn about writing, about being a better teacher, and about being a better person! Congrats on completing your first challenge! :-) ~JudyK

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  2. I'm delighted you took the challenge, after pondering it, for so many years, Bitsy! Sounds like it was an impactful month for you. I hope you'll join us on Tuesdays year-round.

    What you're saying about authors, and the struggles many of them share, is so true. I think our society doesn't often talk about struggle and overcoming adversity. Maybe there is someone your son admires who dealt with similar struggles that he could relate to...
    Alas, Japanese is hard! A dear friend of mine from childhood began taking it in college and I was amazed since it's a totally different character system. Kudos to your son for trying something so challenging.

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    1. Thanks Stacey, it's been really fun! I got so much more out of it than I expected. Thanks for all the organization! :)

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    2. One more thought...saying goodbye to my commenters reminds me of the feeling at the end of summer camp: although excited to go home, definitely a feeling of loss/sadness. Again, thanks! :)

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  3. I bought Donald Murray’s book on writing called ‘Crafting a Life’ and because I heard about it in someone’s post this month, and he has a very funny section about all the writing students he taught who were terrible and got poor grades, coming back to tell of their good jobs, writing grants, one even with a Pulitzer! So we NEVER know about our own lives, much less your son’s. I have a “late bloomer” son so I know how your mother’s heart feels, I think.As you write here about your own journey, I think we see how badly writing was often taught, with too much focus on criticism. I’m so glad you feel this Month’s writing (in addition to your professional writing) has increased your confidence. It SHOULD. You are a good, good writer! It has truly been my pleasure to follow you this month. Just looking over your titles gives me pleasure. May your blog increase :) I plan on posting some Tuesdays and also next March; I hope to see you there!

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    1. Ah, I love Donald Murray's work - I'll look up this book! Thank you for all of this Fran, I have your blog bookmarked and will enjoy having more time to read and comment. And I'll hope to see you at future SOLs! Again, thank you. 🙏

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  4. First Congrats for making it all 31 days! It has been a delight to read your posts. The end of this challenge always brings me to that feeling of a bit of loss due the the community we build. A funny thing but have connected with folks here for years now.
    Second thing is I was also one of those kids that struggled in school and my mother was sure I would never make it through college. How wrong she was. We find our way and our path. The struggles just make us stronger. It is just hard to see it at your sons age. Hang in there - you will both find your way! Hope to see you on the Tuesday Slice of Life!

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    1. Thank you Joanne, for all of your comments and feedback, I'm so grateful! Your are right, there is a feeling of loss here, it's almost like the feeling at the end of summer camp. And I love your success story, hopefully I'll look at my son someday and laugh at my despair. :) I'll look for you at future SOLs. Again, thank you. ❤️

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  5. Thank you Joanne, for all of your comments and feedback, I'm so grateful! Your are right, there is a feeling of loss here, it's almost like the feeling at the end of summer camp. And I love your success story, hopefully I'll look at my son someday and laugh at my despair. :) I'll look for you at future SOLs. Again, thank you. ❤️

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