Throughout the month of March, I am participating in the annual Slice of Life Story Challenge, an event hosted by the team at Two Writing Teachers. Every day in March, I will share a story and comment on the stories of other participants. Please join us in writing, sharing, reading, and commenting!
I've enjoyed hosting the final week of the Challenge, pushing myself to read different slicers, carving out time to check in on comments throughout the day instead of my early morning and evening routines. I've written before about how the slicing community reminds me of a coffee shop in that so many slicers have their posting routines. There's a cluster of people who I feel like I met every morning between 5:45 and 6:30. We all shared our comments in much the same way as we might line up and place our coffee orders. Dawn, Jess, Tracey, Molly, Amy, Cindy, Kim, Ana, Fran, Sally... I'll miss you in the early morning commenting brigade!
I'd thought about the important things I wanted to say in this post, but my imposter syndrome is real, and other slicers have already written such beautiful reflections about the importance of writing and of this community. I'm inspired to spend time in April returning to some of my posts from previous years; I think I'm consistent with my writing territories, but I'm curious to see if my theories align with the patterns I may discover.
Thank you to all of you who have shared bits and pieces of your lives through your writing, and who have supported the bits and pieces of my life I've written about. March 2025 has been a healing journey, and my world has been much more confined that it usually is. I'm grateful for the connections of the community, maybe more this year than in any other.
I know that I'll continue to connect with some of you throughout the year on Tuesdays-- as soon as tomorrow. Others, I look forward to March of 2026.
Onward,
Melanie
You were a thoughtful host. I love how you highlighted various groups of people. If felt like you had a pulse on the people. So grateful for you. ❤️Jess
ReplyDeleteBig hug from me to you. Looking forward to seeing you in person sometime soon. Thanks for sharing which end up being gentle nudges for me. Like this line - I'm curious to see if my theories align with the patterns I may discover. Looking forward to taking more time to explore past slices and discover, too. Keep healing!
ReplyDeleteMelanie, the love of a writing community is felt in the knowing presence of others who connect - - especially when mobility and confinement are real. Temporary, thank goodness, but nonetheless so impactful. It seems writing met you at the place of your greatest need this year and that might be why the deeper appreciation, just being able to read of all the life that happens and to bring a part of it to others and be a part of theirs. I'm glad you are healing, and I'm glad you were the host this last week. You did a great job! I look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays and hearing how you're doing.
ReplyDeleteMelanie - I enjoyed your posts - as well as your daughters - how wonderful to share such an important practice as writing! Wishing you all the healing engery!
ReplyDeleteFirst, your observation about rituals and seeing the same people or slicers at the coffee shop- brilliant!! Second, I cannot thank you enough for helping host this challenge and for the comments that affirm and make me think deeper. You are no imposter, my friend. You are one of the torch carriers leading the way.
ReplyDeleteI love the image of this community as a coffee shop--you see the regulars and sometimes someone new pops in that you hadn't seen before. Look forward to seeing/reading/writing with you on Tuesdays.
ReplyDeleteProud of you!!
ReplyDeleteI also find that you tend to find your "tribe" based on when you post. It's always weird for me because I might seem like a morning or mid-morning slicer, but I'm actually a night time slicer. I am just living in the future, so it's easy to trick people into thinking I slice earlier than I actually do. haha
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this week! I'm glad you're healing. Take it easy and continue to get stronger!
Melanie, it's been a joy to read more of your posts since meeting you in person in November. I've loved seeing the warm relationships you have with each of your daughters. All the best as you continue to heal and write your book. I enjoyed your video send off today!
ReplyDeleteYes! Like a coffee shop. I like to get to places when they open. Lol. I often think about Tuesdays, but I'll be back next year after I've learned to crochet and play pickleball in all my spare time now!
ReplyDeleteMelanie -- despite the imposter syndrome, your words in this post, and others I read, have been original and unique. I was haunted by the story of your dad; I will not forget it. Your comments each morning often set the tone for my day; they were so uplifting, written with such care - they strengthened me more than you know. Yes - this has been a healing journey! Thank you so much for going above and beyond for us all <3
ReplyDelete- from me :)
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