Slice of Life- Trying to do it all

Throughout the year, Two Writing Teachers hosts the Slice of Life Story community. Everyone is welcome to share writing and comment on others in this special community. 

It's funny to me how throughout March, slices come easily, and then, the month ends, and  weekly slices are tougher to write. While I know that writing is a practice, I still have been writing every day since March 31. (Okay, almost every day.) So is it really about being in writing shape? My latest theory is this: there are too many slices throughout the week, and the pressure to choose the one to showcase is too high. I freeze. (It's a theory.)

In any case...

Last night, I wrote and unwrote a text over and over. I had to cancel a tutoring session, and I really try not to EVER do that, and I had canceled the week before, as well. I hovered over the keyboard, trying to think of the right words to explain that my friend, the same friend who I'd say with in the ER for several hours last week when we had our tutoring session, had asked me to be her ride home this week... at around the same time as our tutoring session. 

My friend is private about what's gone on, and I respect that. Even when you think there's no way for a person to be connected to another person, this world surprises me with the ways people know each other. I can't explain the scariness of the week and the relief of bringing her home and the honor I feel of her trusting me enough to ask. 

I try another explanation, starting with "I'm so sorry...." 

That's not what I want to say, though. C'mon Melanie. You can do this. 

(How is it that a simple text can be as hard as a weekly slice of life?)

I finally opt for the "less is more" approach: "is there any chance that Wednesday would work for you? Or Friday ANYTIME?"

Please cross your fingers that Wednesday is fine for my awesome little student, and also that discharge goes more smoothly than it sometimes does from a hospital. 

And also, feel free to throw out other possibilities for why slicing might be harder once a week! 

Slice of Life- An Incredible Comeback and Fifth Set

                                                           

Throughout March, the Meehans have many family chats that reference SOL posts. In late May and early June, the chats are more likely to focus on tennis and the French Open. For those of you who were watching the Frances Tiafoe- Matteo Arnaldi match last night, you know what I'm talking about. For those of you who have no idea, it was a brilliantly played match with an incredible comeback and some of the most amazing shots I've ever seen.

Whenever I watch sports with my husband, Garth, he can't help but talk to the players as if he's the coach in front of them. Last night, his volume was extra high, but the girls were in full support of that. 

At the end of the match, Arnaldi, an Italian player I'd never heard of before, got to say: 

“It was not tennis, just something else, ‌with ⁠everything we had. Someone had to win. Fortunately, it was me tonight.”

Having been down 4-1 in the fourth set, his comeback was epic. In fact, the announcers chuckled when he yelled encouragement to himself as he started his late-in-the-match comeback, saying something along the lines of he had a LONG way to go. 

In the family chat, the crew was cheering hard for Tiafoe, the only American left in the tournament, but I was more cheering the power and possibilities of overcoming expectations and comebacks. What a great message about mindset, belief, and perseverance happened in that tennis match yesterday! I hope Arnaldi is eating lots of protein and pounding electrolytes for tomorrow. I'll be cheering for him!