Did you know that there is a thing called Narrative Therapy? As I’ve written before, I am not a home remodeling expert. It just wasn’t a field I knew very much about before last fall. But every day I’m learning more and more about many areas I didn’t know existed.

Today I was introduced to narrative therapy when I went to see a counselor. I’ve been encouraged to talk with someone since … about midway through Zack’s time in the rehab hospital.  That was May. And I couldn’t even bring myself to imagine walking into a therapist’s office. The mere thought/hearing the suggestion made me breakdown. So I put it off. And it was again suggested to me in August but I kind of ignored it. Then during a tea date with a girlfriend in December, she said I must talk with a counselor. So I made an appointment, twice, … that I then cancelled both.

And today I made it in. She is a very nice person, I felt fine talking to her, and she gave me a homework assignment. To write the beginning, middle, and end of a particular chapter in my life, which started Friday, April 3rd 2015 when we first went to the ER in Truckee … and I will find an end during the writing process. This assignment put me at ease. Because I have watched my friend, Michelle, teach this part of the writing process (beg, mid, end) brilliantly to 2nd graders multiple times. Because my #edbeat and #leadupnow friend, Sandy, helped me rediscover journaling over the winter holiday break and I have kept up a 6 day/week journal since then. And just as elementary school students learn the craft of writing through practice, guidance, sharing and feedback, I can continue the practice of reflection through time and forgiveness and direction and support.

I am already looking forward to putting the chapter of Zack’s medical chaos (her word, I can’t come up with a better one) behind me so that I can fully be in our now chapter. Which is full of skiing, friends new and old, opportunities and change, and 3 FULL sentences this weekend!

That’s a great reason to #CelebrateMonday. Thanks to Sean and Natalie for helping educators all over the country bring out the best and happiest in schools on Mondays!