Last night my daughter's boy friend broke up with her. Through tears, she rationalized the benefits of this break up. Still the hurt remained. As usual, I said little. No Dr. Phil here. At this time, no Dr. Phil needed. Her big sis was her solid rock but was without words.
Mom was crying just as hard as the jilted lover. To communicate beyond the hurt, my wife and daughter began texting each other while sitting side-by-side on the coach.
My first response was, "How absurd." It was then I realized that they were practicing what I've supposedly been learning here at the institute. They were using writing to express deeper thoughts, to sort out meaning, to be more true to what they really wanted to say.
I immediately bit my tongue.
Writing, for them was a natural response to this situation. It helped them articulate, but more importantly, confront and identify thought and feelings.
Hey, I'm the English teacher here. Still I almost missed this real-life application.
Guess, I've much still to learn.
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what a shame that our electronic communications are so easily deleted and gone forever. What value would that letter or journal have for your daughter, or wife for that matter, in 10 or 20 years?
ReplyDeletewriting does provide a place we can articulate, put together, our thoughts/feelings--I hope this insight finds a way into your narrative as a teacher/learner.
ReplyDelete