“The miracle is this: The more we share, the more we have.”
~ Leonard Nimoy ~
Last week, I shared Jacqueline Woodson’s heart-breaking Each Kindness (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2012) with a fourth-grade class to begin a series of lessons on theme. As I read these words, “This is what kindness does, Ms. Albert said. Each little thing we do goes out, like a ripple, into the world,” the image sending Slice of Life posts out into the world came into my mind. There’s an important difference, though. When you share a Slice of Life post, the ripples of kindness return to you in wonderful and surprising ways.
I wrote my first March Slice of Life Challenge post without much forethought to what a month of blogging EVERY DAY would entail. I certainly didn’t have a plan. I know that I NEVER anticipated the way my posts would ripple back to me.
Through this warm, supportive community, I’ve made so many friends I’m afraid if I start to mention you all, I’ll forget someone. When I was NCTE’s national convention last November, I don’t think there was a single session when I didn’t sit with a friend made through Slice of Life or blogging. The truth is, the kindness sent out by this community is overwhelming. Thank you to all of you who have influenced me and helped me grow as a teacher, writer, and human being.
Bruce Coville wrote in his poem, “Ripples” that
“Words and gestures ripple outward,
What shores they reach we cannot name.”
I can’t wait to see where this year’s ripples take us. Happy Slicing, everyone!
Thank you to Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Anna, and Beth for this space for teachers and others to share their stories each day during the month of March and on Tuesdays throughout the year. Be sure to visit Two Writing Teachers to read more Slice of Life posts.
Reading to the Core 
Love that poem passage … the ripple effect is powerful.
Kevin
LikeLike
You’d be one of my connections, Catherine! I love the reflection you have in your first post. Ripples of kindness are understated as they move along and form current and waves–beautiful reflections in your first slice of March 2015!
LikeLike
I like how you remind that a ripple comes back. I’ve read Each Kindness but will read it differently now. Karma comes to mind. And so true – this is just my 2nd year doing SOL but it also surprised me last year that the best part was the comments that came back to me after others read my words. It does feel good to be back with a community of friends who love writing!
LikeLike
This was such a lovely read to begin my Sunday morning, Catherine. I love the idea of the ripple, such an important idea..that what we do creates an effect well beyond ourselves.
LikeLike
Oh my gosh you just made me think of a terrific lesson! I love the ripple effect comment. I never thought of tying Each Kindness into a lesson we do with our second graders using the song “Make A Wave.” Believe it or not, the teacher I do this “Make A Wave” lesson with, had Bruce Coville as her teacher. Boy, am I glad I stopped by here today!! Love this post and am going to share it with my friend. You’ve already sent your ripples my way!! Thank you!
LikeLike
I love how you weave Nimoy, Woodson and Coville with the kindess of this community. So true, such a gift.
LikeLike
I enjoyed the quotes how they reflected your thinking. I liked how you made connections and shared inspiration.
LikeLike
I don’t think I attended a session either without an SOL friend. This community is amazing. I wish I had known what you would mean to me before NCTE so we could have sat together. SOL changes lives.
LikeLike
It’s always an adventure, isn’t it Catherine?! Here’s to March slicing…and the Saturday Reunion (hope to see you there!).
LikeLike
I know what you mean…as a fifth year slicer, it’s so cool to get to know so many people through their writing. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
These “ripples” remind me of the old proverb “He who refreshes others, will himself be refreshed.” You’ve obviously sent many ripples of kindness out into the world. I look forward to enjoying those ripples over the next month of slicing, and hopefully returning small waves of refreshment back to you.
LikeLike
I love those ripples too, Catherine, would never have imagined that these simple posts would have such an effect. Have a wonderful March of slicing!
LikeLike
I am only a second year slicer, yet I thoroughly understand what you say about this community. There were times last March when I thought I would give up and not complete the challenge, but the encouragement of everyone here kept me going. Have a great month of writing.
LikeLike
Sending love to you Catherine~rippling across the country. So thankful to have this community. Happy March!
LikeLike
The ripple effect is a powerful one as we saw in Each Kindness. What a great analogy to start March.
LikeLike
Back at you Catherine 🙂 Can’t wait to read your day 2!
LikeLike
I agree! I hadn’t thought about it before, but NCTE was filled with wonderful moments with fellow slicers. Meeting you in Virginia for lunch was so much fun too. It all stems from this writing, this community, this support!!! I am so glad you’re here!!!!! 🙂
LikeLike
What a lovely post to begin a month of ripples! Beautiful!
LikeLike