Monday, March 4, 2013

Where's My Spot?


Everyone has their favorite place to sort out their thoughts and write. They also have their favorite writing buddies, such as something to munch on, sip on, listen to, or see. My favorite place to write my thoughts and heart is beside my sliding back door. I pull the blinds open, and sit beside the clear glass (when there are not little hand and paw prints all over it), looking out into my back yard where the dog and children play. When they are all inside, I get to enjoy the vision of little, colorful birds flying around and sitting on my back porch, enjoying the open, big yard with nothing but space and peace to enjoy.
In a house with four children and a dog, and of course my loving husband and myself, it can be hard sometimes to find a peaceful place to think and write. Doing school work is sometimes a rather eventful thing for this momma. But even in the chaotic times, when kids are fighting and supper is being made, I am behind in an assignment for a class, the baby’s diaper needs changed, my husband isn’t home yet, and the dog is digging holes instead of playing with his toys…I find myself sitting at “my spot” at the table, in the middle of the craziness all around me, and close my eyes…and…breathe. I then open my eyes to the view of the back yard, sometimes heavily obstructed by those little, muddy hand and paw prints all over the glass door, and sometimes clearly seen, with a sigh I enjoy the sight for a moment………..and then I send the children out there so that my entire house will be as peaceful as the back yard appears to be from my spot at the table.
My main issue now is determining that where I sit is “my” writing spot. My challenge is discovering where my children prefer to call their spot , “my spot”, and it is indeed a challenge, as Titus has a horrible time staying in a spot to do homework or projects. Levi has the attention span of a squirrel on a caffeine high, and Angel pretty much plops wherever the crayons are at the moment. Micah has a spot for the time being…my lap. I am ok with this, most of the time, because he enjoys just sitting, and I enjoy his little self being with me. This is half the fun, I suppose, as I do my best to discover along with my children their learning styles, place preferences, and communication styles as well. I look forward to helping Titus get settled in his “spot” so we can begin moving forward with his studies.
And I have to remember that my spot is mine. They don’t want it. And although I may THINK I want them to want it, I truly do not want them there. Why? Because I would, then, have to find a new spot. Four little bottoms sitting in my thinking/writing place would not be welcome when I go there to find my brain now and again.
I used to think that my spot was only that special to me because I do not have a desk in that part of my house. But the more I think on it, if I were to have a desk in there, I would do my best to place it right there, beside my table, facing out the back door. There’s just something about “that place” that sooths the mind, and often eliminates writer’s block. Ah yes, writer’s block: the worst enemy of a paper deadline, which is exactly what I have today. Glad I’m in my spot!

No comments:

Post a Comment