 Well, it's my last day of this challenge, and I guess my positive experience is right now, typing this final reflection. What have I learned from the past three weeks? Most importantly it's this: the gift of observation. On days when I dreaded the "positive experience" writing, knowing full well that nothing spectacular took place that day, I dug deeper. The people by which I'm surrounded makes the digging an easy fix, but it's something I forget to do on a daily basis. I hope this gift of observation is habit-forming. The other thing I learned is that I really need to find time to exercise. There's truth in the idea that exerting energy gives you energy, that exercise puts you in a better mood. I know this. I've been there. I know how I felt, inside and out, when I walked regularly. It was more than the physical health benefits, which were many; I just felt good... all the time. So, today I went to Walgreens and bought a lock (with a key, not a combination like the one in my dusty gym bag that sat for so long I couldn't remember the numbers). I went to the gym, swiped my bent up card with fingers crossed that it still worked, and I headed up to the lockers. My old locker was empty, just waiting for me. My old treadmill stared at me, like a mom running late with arms crossed across her chest and toes tapping on the floor. I'm on my way, I thought.
Until the weather warms up and I can get back to the walking path at my local park, I hope I can at least get reacquainted with that treadmill. Here's my Happiness Challenge Motto: Be grateful. Be kind. Exercise. :)  Three gratitudes: 1.—The realization that I DO have another pair of clean pants for tomorrow, so I don't have to do laundry; 2—Seeing a former student play ball; 3—Getting a jumpstart on next week's lesson plans... Lord of the Flies (Remember that one?) Exercise: Meditation: Prayed a rosary with special intentions for (too) many friends who have lost loved ones within the past month. Random Act of Kindness email: Complete Journal about one positive experience in the past 24 hours: I received texts this week with pictures of people holding up LINES—. What a treat! I just want to send out a big THANK YOU to everyone who has supported me on my writing journey. I know I have a lot of improvements to make as a writer, but in all honesty, that journey, even with the mistakes and critiques, is more rewarding than the final products. Anyone who knows me, knows that first and foremost, I am a mom and teacher. My writing time is limited, but I truly look forward to keeping at it. Your comments and encouragement matter, and I am most appreciative!
* Three gratitudes: 1.—Colleagues who have my back; 2.—Online grades; 3.—A Creative Non-Fiction magazine delivered to my door * Exercise: * Meditation: Said a rosary for teachers * Random Act of Kindness email: Complete * Journal about one positive experience in the past 24 hours:  People wonder why I post so much about the Friendly Coffee Lounge. I wrote a blog piece back in November to explain its importance to me, but today I'll elaborate. This place has become my creative space, and one can only say that if there's a home-away-from-home feel and if there are people around with whom you share a genuine affection. I think I show my "affection" on this website, through my words, but it's the staff that shows it in everyday actions. I had hardly slept the night before, and I hadn't eaten, either. So when the alarm clock went off at 5:00, I was slow to get ready and not in the best of spirits. In addition to my 7:00 a.m. cup of coffee, I added a muffin to the bill, knowing full well that I wouldn't have a break until noon. Call it habit, but I walked out with the cup in my hand and drove off. No muffin. On any other day, I wouldn't even think about it. But have you ever had a ridiculous thing occupy your mind? I was actually ticked off at myself for leaving behind my treat. I thought about it. When I realized a mistake I had made at school, I remembered the mistake I made that morning. When my stomach growled in the middle of a silent final exam, I recalled the reason it was growling. Between classes I took out my phone to check emails. There was a message from the Friendly owner saying that they'd hold my muffin for me. Then there was a text from the Friendly barista saying that my muffin was in the office. They are awesome, I thought. Since when does the Friendly have an office? Their kindness over something as minor as a forgotten muffin was enough for me to laugh off my irrational state and get on with my next class. At noon, I went to my faculty mailbox. There, in a white bag with my name on it, was my muffin. The secretary told me a woman dropped it off at the school office. You're the best, Debbie!
I have to reiterate that I am blessed with amazing friends and family, people who support me from across the miles as well as those from across the street. I'm the youngest of my generation of cousins; there's a twenty year gap between the oldest and me on my dad's side, with a thirty year gap between the oldest and me on my mom's side. Therefore, growing up, I didn't have much of a relationship with the "big kids", and for some, I actually don't have memories of them at all. This is the case with Maridee whose family lived out of state which added to the lack of connection. We "met" on Facebook, and I can honestly say that my life has been enriched ever since. She is a passionate teacher, an avid reader, a dedicated mom/grandma. After a couple years of online bonding and countless digital Scrabble games, we came face-to-face for a short visit in Texas followed by a weekend in Michigan, spending three days in each other's company. To say this was a delightful experience would be an understatement. I hold Maridee in high regard, so when she comments on my writing, I take her words to heart. She's been a cheerleader of sorts, and today she exemplified that role, again. She posted my book cover and remarked that she was excited to read her cousin's book. That might not seem like much, but it's her faith in me and enthusiasm for my work that makes the post special. Eight of her friends followed up with comments, and then she sent me a private message, too. Thanks for your support, dear cousin! XOXO
 The day started by heading over to the coffee house to set up a mini display for LINES—. Just a flyer, a copy of the novel, and some raffle tickets to give a sneak peek for the upcoming book release celebration. Before I finished, a customer came in and asked what I was up to. I explained. "Oh, I saw that on Facebook. Can I ask you about the book?" I ended up talking with this kind woman for ten minutes or so, and she actually bought the display copy, so I had to go home to get another one to replace it. My first face-to-face sale! How cool is that! Thanks for your support, Bernadette. I hope to see you around the Friendly again!
 Today was a big day for my niece and Godchild, Amber. She was beautiful. Well, she's always beautiful, but today she was radiant. It means the world to me to see her happy, and Chris does that for her. What made this celebration extra special was the number of cousins that attended. Both sides of my family were represented, and even though I didn't get to spend a ton of time with everyone, it was great to be there together. I adore my extended family! So I guess there were a lot of little moments on which to reflect as a positive experience today. Happy Wedding Day, Amber and Chris! Thanks for a wonderful and eventful time (complete with genuine vows, a choreographed first dance, whimsy and laughter throughout the night... everything that symbolizes your relationship!). May your lives be filled with love and understanding, adventure and peace, and most importantly, friendship. Cheers!
After school today, I went to lunch with my sixteen year old. I made a point to look directly in his eyes when we talked. We chatted mostly about school, final exams, next semester. Then college discussions started. How did we get here? When did that Thomas the Tank Engine aficionado turn into the intelligent young man sitting before me? And that's it. That's my positive experience today. There were others, I'm sure, but this 30 minute, one-on-one break with my son is it. He is a gift, and I am grateful.
 My books came in from CreateSpace. These are the books that I planned on using for my book release celebration. One of the copies was going to the winner of January's giveaway, so I took it out and signed it, and I happened to flip the pages. Wasn't I surprised to see that every other page was misaligned with extra space at the page tops and page numbers skimming the bottom edges. SIXTEEN of the twenty novels were like this! I was livid and immediately sent a complaint email and then vented to my writing support group. I couldn't possibly use these books! After I received a confirmation notice that CreateSpace was in receipt of my message, I searched their FAQs to see if others had this issue. There was a 24-hour support number. I called. Albert, the customer service rep, was apologetic and helpful. He assured me that sixteen replacement books would arrive in time for my event. I asked if I should return the old ones, and he said that that would not be necessary. What was I going to do with a box of these poorly printed novels? Well, I need a container for the raffle tickets, right? (The result is in the picture.) Next, I went to my writing support group again to update my vent post, and I saw a comment from a member who is currently reading LINES—. She wanted to let me know that her copy did not have printing problems: "I'm on page 81 (and I'm loving this story, Geralyn), and all has been beautiful so far... I got a flawless copy. Put those others aside, though...Folks will clamor to get their hands on a misprint when you are legendary! I hope it ends how I want it to, because I am really caring for Livia here. (Good work!)" I just love it when a bad situation turns out okay!
I'm a bit self-conscious when it comes to telling people that I write. No one really knows me yet at my new job, so only a few colleagues are aware of my self-publishing LINES— in December and the poems that were published last week. However, I did share this information with my department chairman, and today, when I went to my faculty mailbox, I found a card from him with words of congratulations. It meant a lot to know that my passion outside of teaching is supported just as much as my passion in the classroom. I'm blessed!
A positive experience today was a simple teaching moment. It happened during the last two periods of the day. I'm most satisfied with a lesson when I witness students engaged and productive without trying, without noticing what's been accomplished. After much practice, modeling, discussing, peer critiquing, editing, and rewriting, today's small groups were actually producing what I expected! With no more than a day to spare, I'm confident that EVERY student is prepared for the writing segment of the final exam. Whew!
I write a lot about the rosary. On school days this prayerful time occurs during my lunch period and almost always in the chapel, but today we needed to find a different place, as a theology class was coming in. We could have cancelled, but instead we headed to the auditorium, only to find it locked. Next we tried a basement office, but it, too, was locked. Again, we could have left it at that, simply missed a day, but we didn't. We ended up in a classroom, and between the three of us, there were so many special intentions that we knew why we kept searching. Since meeting Pete and Dee (my two prayer partners/colleagues) and committing to this time, I rarely skip a day and only do so when I have no choice but to work through that period. There are many reasons to feel grateful for my job, but this opportunity to pray a daily rosary is truly a blessing!
This is an email that went out to all members of the Chicago Writers Association:
The Write City Magazine is kicking off 2016 with wonderful poetry from English Teacher, Novelist, and Poet Geralyn Hesslau Magrady. http://www.chicagowrites.org/the-write-city-magazine/ Our magazine is currently looking for poetry and short fiction and non-fiction pieces. Make 2016 the year to submit!
 One teenager was out with his old grade school friends. The other teenager was at basketball practice, but when he came home I said, "I haven't played Scrabble in eons. What do you think?" Years ago, board games were a common pastime in our home. Scrabble was a popular choice, basically because my husband and I were avid fans. "Give me 15 minutes to finish a download," my son replied. It would probably take that long to find the box and dust it off anyway, so I agreed. Living in a world of screen entertainment, I can't describe how great it was to sit at the dining room table and hear the tapping of tiles in that felt bag. My husband joined us, and had the other boy not been bowling, I'm sure he would have participated, too. Granted, I had a rack full of I's and U's all game long, and this house champ had to bow to the other two players, but no matter the victory or loss, it was a good reminder to step away from the electronics and spend time with one another. AND there will be a rematch. Oh, yes. There will definitely be a rematch!
 This article was posted on Facebook today. It's subject is a man named Brendan O'Connor, a local business owner who has made a positive impact on our community, a family man who is battling cancer. I don't know Brendan personally, but I've always been impressed with his place, Big Guys Sausage Stand, with the workers, with the food, with Brendan's involvement in many events and causes. Big Guys, as well as the Big Guy himself, is a local favorite. What turned this story into a positive experience for me is the Berwyn response to Brendan's current situation. Almost immediately, the board was filled with ideas of support. It started out with a simple, "Let's set a day when we all buy our meals at Big Guys." With that, others piped in, "We can have a support event down the street and have Big Guys cater it," "if we do a fundraiser raffle, count me in for..." It brought me back to my sons' grade school days when a family experienced a life-changing event. Dinner sign-ups were created whenever there was a birth or death or illness or job loss. Babysitting schedules, carpools, tuition assistance, prayer services—people got involved and organized no matter their hectic lives. It's what communities do. This is the kind of world I live in; this is the humanity I see every day, and I'm proud to be a part of it all. Brendan, you are in my prayers, and Berwyn, you make me smile!
After my teenagers took out the garbage, walked their Nana up the stairs, brought in and unpacked groceries, my mom asked me, “Do other people know what good boys you have?” I laughed at the question of an appreciative grandmother. “I’m sure others know, Ma,” I replied. Well, tonight a former coach approached me and asked how my son was doing. “I remember meeting him for the first time,” he said, “and knowing that I wanted him on my team. Sometimes a coach sees a kid’s heart, and your boy has heart. I still talk about him as an example of hard work and passion for the game.” I’m paraphrasing, of course, because while I was listening, I was also thinking about the irony of my mom’s question just days before. I’m blessed, and I cherish these proud moments of parenthood.
I've known all day what this journal topic would be, and here it is:
I passed out last night at 8:00 p.m. That's rare because I'm a late night person. My family let me sleep. I woke up at 4:30 a.m. feeling disoriented but awake and refreshed. After washing my face and brushing my teeth, I checked my emails. "Thank you for submitting your poems to The Write City Magazine..." Wait a minute. I had to reread the message three times. "I'm happy to say that..." Yay! Two of my poems will be published this Sunday! I'm overjoyed to say the least. Both works are in the madrigal format, a form I knew nothing about until a Writer's Digest challenge in April, 2014. I've been experimenting with it ever since, and I'm thrilled that I'm finally nailing it. Stay tuned for Sunday's blog post!
 I love my mom. Last night she told me she had fallen on the ice just before getting in the car to go grocery shopping. I told her that the boys and I would stop by after school, to make a list and I'd go shopping for her. It was a long day; I was dead tired. "I'm feeling better. Do you mind if I go shopping with you?" Her limping and sciatica worried me, but I knew she needed to get out of the house, and there would be a sense of security in knowing that she was with someone. This also meant that my short "in and out" spree would have to be replaced with browsing. I love my mom. Even though I thought I'd lose my patience once or twice, I loved seeing her short stature shouting over the counter to the deli worker and the look of deep indecision about which cannoli to choose for the boys' dessert. When she picked through the plum tomatoes, and none of the produce met her inspection expectations, she moved on to a different type. I had to remind myself that this outing was more important than anything else I had planned. If I was on my own, the cart I would have put together would have had the same items, but it wouldn't have been personal. My deli selections would have been typical, there would not have been a dessert for my sons, and the tomatoes might just have been the lesser quality plums from the original list. I love my mom.
There must be something in the air. Yesterday I was “friended” by a former student from my years at Proviso East High School. Today, during the last period of the day, two familiar faces appeared in my classroom window. They are in college now, former 7th-8th grade students from my previous job, who were visiting their old high school, which happens to be my current school. One went away to Princeton while the other stayed local, and no matter where their lives are leading, when I look at those beaming eyes and smiles, all I see are beautiful 8th grade graduates draped in blue gowns, tears forming in their eyes in bittersweet acknowledgement that a new world was opening before them. Fast forward five years, and they’ve already graduated from high school, too, with another new world before them. How about that? And just as I started typing today’s Happiness Challenge gratitudes, my Facebook beeped. This cannot be happening! Iris, a student from my very first teaching position at St. Bs—a place that holds a special place in my heart—was “friending” me! Every teacher remembers that first year, right? Iris was in the seventh grade back then, which makes her (big gulp) in her late thirties. I feel like I’m on that show This Is Your Life. If you haven’t guessed by now, I love my job, and I adore my students—past, present, and future!
 Two flashback moments occurred when I logged on to Facebook today. First came an old photo of me with my dear college friend Paige and two of her friends from home. In the picture I'm doubled over with laughter, and all four of us are rocking some big late-eighties hair. I have no memory of where we are or what is so hysterical, and I guess that doesn't really matter. The shot is symbolic of that time period in my life—the spirit, the adventure, the joy. And any memory with Paige brings a smile to my face; I'm thrilled that I'm connected with these three beautiful women.
While commenting back and forth with that college photo, I noticed a friend request come through. I recognized the name immediately, and for a teacher who has shared a classroom with over a thousand students, that means something. I clicked her name, and oh, that profile pic! One single glance at that now thirty-something face, and my world returned to the halls of Proviso East High School. Janessa was my star—she loved to write, and she always had an opinion to not only share, but support! I adored her spunk. The second I "confirmed," a post appeared: "Mrs. Magradddddyyyyyy!" There's something about knowing that someone just thought of you. You become aware of being special, appreciated, remembered. What a wonderful feeling that is! So glad to be reconnected, Janessa! You made my day! :) (I always forgot to get my pic taken for the Proviso yearbook. I think this is the only one there is. I'm so young... )
 I promote reading whenever I get the chance. No wonder, then, that the Little Free Library concept is one that I adore. For years, whenever my sons and I drove past a wooden lawn structure filled with books, I announced my plan to one day finish my novel and go around town with copies to donate to these neighborhood boxes. Today, I had the opportunity to do just that. When I finished eight deliveries, I came home and wrote the following post on a local Facebook page:
"Well, that was fun! Thanks to all who commented on the Little Free Library locations in Berwyn. I just drove around and dropped off copies of my book LINES—. It's been a work-in-progress for years, a bunch of vignettes about what my ancestors' lives might have been like in 1870s-1880s Chicago. My ancestors became characters, and the vignettes morphed into a storyline. More than anything, the book is a lesson to my sons to finish what you start. And it's a message to my students that their teacher writes, too!" |
