Hello, Friends.
Sorry, but the grandchildren and my teaching are winning. Not enough time to blog often – just enough to read some posts, often in the wee hours.
Sharing a rare update:
The Grandchildren
The grandchildren are doing well, thank God. The usual colds, etc. which we’ve come to expect.
The older one is the only 4 year old I know who spends huge after-school time writing and doing her math. She plays a lot, but also badly wants to learn.
The younger one is climbing everything – and trying to become an escape artist in the process. They both melt our hearts daily with their smiles and antics.
Teaching Writing
Teaching has also been rewarding. Not financially – the pay is so small, it’s almost like volunteering. But it delights me to watch my students become skilled writers. Three have had their short stories chosen for a respected anthology, and 4 have already completed the first drafts of their books (memoirs), and sent them to Beta readers. Talk about growth!
The rewards are mutual. I’ve grown alongside the groups I’ve taught.
Lunch with my Writing Students
An Important Lesson
The first year I started teaching writing, I was having a very rough time after a car accident. I wrote in my journal:
“On the first day with (the) group, I decided to reveal my issues that could affect my performance.
“They could already tell I had walking difficulties, so it was easier to address the pain which afflicts me when I stand or sit for long. But it took courage to tell them about the invisible stuff. All have been obvious at different times – the stuttering, strange talking, extreme forgetfulness at times, difficulty getting the words out, and completely losing it if sounds come at me from different directions.
“I also take pre-emptive steps to help me through potential problems. Each agenda is very clear and detailed to keep me on track and to help them help me if I lose my way.
“I don’t remember their names each week, so I started out giving name cards. Those disappeared quickly, so now I wait for the other participants to call each other by name, and I write it down, indicating where they are sitting that day.
“Each week, I remind them to let me know if I’m not being clear. I also stop and ask them: ‘Does that make sense? If it doesn’t, please tell me.’
“I think they are deciphering my intent in the rough spots.”
~~~
I’ve shared the above as a reminder to me, and anyone who needs it, that even when times are really bad, there’s still something we can do, and still people who will support you because they see how hard you’re trying.
My very best to you,
Cynthia.
Our love and best wishes always, Cynthia. You should be so proud of YOU!
Sent from my iPad
<
div dir=”ltr”>
<
blockquote type=”cite”>
Thank you! Take good care of yourselves.
Thank you for the update, Cynthia! It was good to see a new post from you in my Reader.
Thank you, Liz.
You’re welcome, Cynthia.
Simply wow, Cynthia. Very inspiring and powerful.
Thank you! I appreciate your reading and replying, especially since I’ve been MIA.
👍💯😚
Thanks for the reminders and encouragement Cynthia. I’m delighted that you’re enjoying your grandkids and teaching writing. I love your writing and can imagine that you’re a good teacher and being honest and vulnerable seems to build connection. Kudos.
Thanks for your support, and for replying to this post, Brad. I appreciate it and hope you’re continuing to do well.
You’re most welcome Cynthia. I’m doing okay, wondering what changes I want in my life.
You have written a beautiful, inspiring post, Cynthia. Your students are lucky to have you for a mentor.
The Road of Life provides many opportunities to grow along with those whom we meet and sometimes travel with, whether it be for a long time or a short time. Your words and wisdom have helped me immensely over the years. Thank you! I am honored to know you.
Thank you.
I could have written the second paragraph about you, Lavinia. What an important friend and support you’ve been to me.
Take care, my friend.
You take care too, my friend. Love you!
So wonderful to get an update! I loved reading it.
Thanks so much, Franca! I hope you and yours are all well.
I am so pleased to find a post from you just as I make one of my rare visits to WordPress. Like you, I am very busy doing other things, though in my case nothing so wonderful as grandchildren or as creative as teaching writing!
Like you again, my elder daughter has always thought it best to reveal her issues (bi-polar disorder and ADHD) when being interviewed for a job and when starting work at that job. It is a very brave thing to do but she finds it reaps all sorts of rewards as I am sure you have found too and honesty is always a good thing.
May you continue to eenjoy your teaching and I hope your lovely family all keep well (barring the odd cold or two).
How lovely to hear from you, dear Clare. I’m hoping you and the family are all doing well. It’s been so interesting to follow your daughters’ journeys. Please give them and Richard my best wishes.
Thank you for taking the time to share such an honest and personal update. It makes us all realize that we are not alone in our physical and mental challenges as we move through life. If we lived closer, I’d get on the waiting list for your writing class. 🙂 As for grands, they are the best gift our kids ever give us and can be enjoyed for a lifetime. Have fun!
So nice to hear from you, Judy! Thanks very much for the lovely comment.
You’re so right about the grandkids.
Thanks for this checking in. Now we are up-to-date. You obviously enjoyed the teaching moment and that’s what life is all about. We need to do the things we like to do more than the things we have to do. That’s one ingredient in the recipe for a happy life.
Blessings to you and congrats to your graduates who have done so well. I am sure you who have faced challenges was an inspiring teacher and mentor.
Good to hear from you, Paula. Thanks for your comment.
Writing a memoir demands honesty. I was scared about how they’d respond to me, but I figured if I’m going to demand honesty from them, I had to be honest. Plus, it put us on a more level playing field and allowed us to also have fun as a group. We laugh a lot in these sessions.
It is always great to see a post from you. You are an inspiration.
Thanks so much! Hope you are doing well.
I am well, but too hot down here for gardening. Waiting for some Canadian cold to blow down.
Okay – we send you some cold in the fall, and you send us some heat. Deal?
It’s a deal!
You are a walking inspiration, Cynthia. You’re, to me, the epitome of “You go, girl!” Continue with all you do; I’m doing the same, moving along at the pace I can and do.
Cheers to you, to me, to us! ❤️ Jeanne
Cheers indeed to you, me, and us! so good to hear from you. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
As one of Cynthia’s students, I can attest to her being an extraordinary teacher, leader, mentor, inspiration in every way. I am close to finishing my memoir, thanks to Cynthia’s generous guidance. Cynthia, my friend, we have learned from you more than just how to put words on paper. Thank you for all of it.
Thanks for the faith you put in me, Sharon. We had such a good time of learning, sharing, challenging each other in the group, and laughing. You’re a beautiful writer and I look forward to reading the finished book!
Delighted to hear all is well with you. Also loved that quote from your journal at the end there, about trying to do something because anything is better than nothing kind of thing. I am just reaching the end of 15 years of that. Where I’ll go from here is anyone’s guess but I hope I’ll be a bit more productive come September.
All the best, and keep on enjoying grannyhood! MTMGreat to hear from you, MT! You’ve been through so much, my friend, and still you rise. My best to the family, and my best wishes for your books.
Thanks. Here’s hoping things get a bit livelier now and I can write some more books!
Lots of love to you and yours.
Yes, best wishes!
Thank you, Laurie!
Lovely to hear from you Cynthia. So inspiring … Big hugs
Thank you. Must check in with you. Hope all goes well.
Wonderful to hear from you. Yes, life gets busy with grandkids too.
Thanks very much. It’s a crazy, delightful time with the grandkids, full of surprises and relearning from week to week.
Indeed yes, and bright fresh views on the world around them.
You have to be so proud of your students and I’m sure they are grateful to have such an honest and talented teacher to guide them. Good for you, keep carrying on.
Thank you, Karen. I think they are. I’m certainly grateful for them!