Author: Kessick

Spring break is almost over. I can feel the pull from school. Not even a gentle tug, but more like that last ditch effort in a tug-of-war match when you yank with all of your might. My daughter has been asking for a book. One that I own in my classroom. I’m not sure why…… Continue reading Add that to the list

“Dinner” I call down to Big N. My hand rests on the doorframe as I wait patiently for the acknowledgement of my message. “Okay,” Big N replies as she turns off the tv. I walk towards the family room as I hear her feet pounding up the steps from the basement. She is a heavy…… Continue reading 30 Seconds of Dinner

Today was a day of beginnings… – a load of laundry – a new book – a grocery list – a toy/house cleaning/purging/organizing project Let’s hope tomorrow is a day for endings. It’s the middle that is purgatory.

Writer’s block, The plague of all writers. It eats at you. Laughs at your face. Just when you think you have a start, it steals it away. A phrase, an idea, a memory…stolen. A half-written draft, a story stopped mid-way, a post entirely deleted. Imperfection. Not good enough, not even close. Not quite a slice,…… Continue reading Writer’s block

Little hands grab yours Small cries, big eyes, heart swelling Newborn love, precious

It’s 9 am and I’m laying on the hotel bed writing this slice. Before that, the kids asked me for a snack. We split the remaining Teddy Grahams from the snack bag. Before that, I braided my daughters hair to help her keep it out of her face while at the water park. Before that,…… Continue reading Before that…

Tuesdays used to be a really great day. I would often find myself sitting on the futon in my college apartment with my roommates watching Law and Order: SVU. Man- I loved that show and it would literally play all day long. We would spend hours sometimes playing detective alongside Benson and Stabler. Then I…… Continue reading Just another Tuesday…

It’s happening. Like right now. On the road to a destination. I planned this months ago. A small trip to make up for the fact that we couldn’t swing a bigger trip right now. I’ve been too nervous to plan for it. Talk about it. Tell the kids about it. Short of booking it, I…… Continue reading Fingers Crossed

It’s the middle of the night and I cannot help but lie here awake with a knot in my stomach. I initially woke to little N calling for me… What is it this time? A bad dream? A sick belly? A headache? A bad habit? Who knows. He seems placated by my bedside visit and…… Continue reading Knots

It’s my twelfth year of teaching. My dream job. The only job I’ve ever pictured myself doing since I was in the 2nd grade. There was a stint where I thought pediatric nurse might be my calling. Not sure why- but it was short lived. I quickly rekindled the passion for teaching and have been…… Continue reading Reminders