It's March, and March means the Slice of Life Story Challenge. All are welcome to join the challenge of noticing and writing about the moments of daily life that are stories.
As I walked through the school library, the library media specialist, Susan, was busy shelving books that had been left on the bench in the library.
"When I retire," she said, "if that day ever comes, I do not want--"
She paused and for a moment, I had time to try to guess what she was going to say. A book? A plaque?
"A bench," she said, finishing her sentence.
As I walked back to my office, I contemplated her wish-- or rather, her non-wish. I have a feeling that a lot of students leave books on one of the benches in the library, so it's a bench that's not used for the purpose one might think, but there's a part of me that likes the idea of a bench. Unlike the wreath that gathers dust and commemorates someone and unlike the pictures and plaques, the bench has a purpose and offers some comfort, potentially.
When my father died, we installed a bench at his fishing club. It's not a place where I can easily go since it requires a membership and it's an hour-long drive, but I like to think about people sitting on that bench and maybe having known my dad and maybe remembering a laugh they might have had with him. He had a lot of laughs at that club, tipping rowboats, sneaking a swig of bourbon, comparing catches of the day. I've never thought hard about what I'd want commemoratively, but Susan got me thinking.
The practical me's first question is what's the budget? Ideally, I'd like a scholarship for someone who values literacy. I'll have to think about the specific component of literacy, but it would have to relate to writing. Yes, a scholarship or an award for someone who values written expression. And if there's a smaller budget? Still something literary, I think. A book, probably a picture book, and one that brings joy to readers, as much joy to as many readers as possible.
So no, probably not a bench, although I want to explore her statement a little more. Maybe tomorrow I'll ask Susan more about her aversion to a bench.
I created a high school scholarship (at the high school my mom attended) in my mom's name. Every year, a student with a passion for the arts (My mom was an artist.) gets the award. I get to meet her and her family and hear all about her plans. It's the best gift I could have given myself. Every year I feel like I share my amazing mom with the world. I would like something like that!
ReplyDeleteWhat a perplexing wonderment today that you give us....what would we want as a legacy, as a commemoration of our individual lives? Hmmmm.......for me, probably a dog rescue barn. A big barn with little dog sofas, a place that had heat and air conditioning and lots and lots of food and a water fountain of always-fresh water for them, and barn doors that open in the morning to a safely fenced meadow where there is plenty of room to run and people come to play fetch and love them until their forever families are found.
ReplyDeleteThat's who I am. That's what I'd want.
What a great prompt - - funny how a bench with some wayward books can inspire us to think of a legacy.
Interesting question that I've never considered before. A bench is nice, and I love that you donated one to your father's fishing club. But for you, a book or a scholarship seem more appropriate.
ReplyDeleteHmmmm - a bench outside, overlooking a beautiful spot, where one could write ... I wouldn't be opposed to that. I like the idea of a water fountain at the top of Heartbreak Hill which is part of my daily running route. I have to think about what part of my life to commemorate ... if professional I would do something for Book Love Foundation - a grant for classroom libraries or bookrooms. Save this comment for when I retire!
ReplyDeleteInteresting to think about. I do like the scholarship idea. I would want something that keeps giving. I think a tree is a lovely thing to remember someone with too!
ReplyDeleteSuch an interesting question to ponder. When my MIL passed, we created a scholarship in her name that support girls wishing to go into education or nursing. She dreamed of attending college, but never got the chance. Not sure what I would want, but pretty certain it wouldn't be a bench. Thank you for a thought provoking Slice.
ReplyDelete