Last year I wasn’t able to participate in the Slice of Life March Challenge because I was recovering from cancer treatment. Not only wasn’t I able to sustain something as taxing as writing and sharing every day, but I was barely able to read or write much of anything. And, I wasn’t eating a whole lot at this time last year. Although I was recovering, it was touch and go for a while.
This year, I am more like my old self again or maybe I’m my new self.
I am grateful for everything that happened to me because it made me take stock of my life and my relationships. It allowed me to clarify my goals – postponing some goals for a later time and reaffirming other goals that I had neglected for way too long.
My hair has grown out. It is a mix of black and white and it’s pretty short compared to my old hair style. And, I like it.
My hair’s not curly anymore. And, I like that, too.
Every time I remember how I tried to straighten my hair when I was a teenager, I cringe: I was trying to look like someone other than me and I was not succeeding. Looking back on that time, I’m glad I failed at that experience. Not that having straight hair now, considering the reason why it’s straight, makes me happy, but it has taught me that all of the things we do to be not like ourselves are a waste of time and governed by external criteria of what it means to be beautiful or smart or brave.
Well, a cancer diagnosis, treatment and recovery took care of exposing those lies. Those things are not really important.
Full disclosure: I’m still trying to figure out what really matters.
So, this month I am thrilled to be returning to this community to share slices during this seemingly never ending pandemic. Although most of my posts will be about the challenges and joys of online teaching (yes, there are joys), I also hope to find joy in unexpected places and blog about that.
Looking forward to this year’s Two Writing Teachers March Slice of Life Story Challenge!
Elisa Waingort 
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