With the vaccination of thousands of Americans so far, and more on the horizon, the tiny head of Hope is beginning to peer over the horizon.
It was Friday, March 13, 2020, when Americans were asked to lock down for two weeks. The night before, I was at church choir rehearsal, and a group of us went out for a bite to eat and a drink. We speculated that our outing might be the last we would see of each other for a short time. Needless to say, we have not seen each other in almost one year! Who would have ever thought that there would be no church, no singing, no restaurants, no sporting events, and no interaction between friends?
I think for a while, people were losing hope. Nothing to do, nowhere to go, inside, with one day blending into the next. Even now, with people scrambling trying to find the COVID vaccine, many are almost completely without hope, especially when they cannot find the vaccine. I have friends that were online 7 hours a day looking for the shot - as was I, and all of us did receive our first injection on February 2. How appropriate to get the shot on Groundhog Day, as Punxatawney Phil, the prognosticator of prognosticators, said there would be six more weeks of winter! Even his prediction could not dampen the hope of those who are looking forward to brighter days.
2020 was an abomination, and so far, 2021 has not been very friendly. Here in Pittsburgh, we are already at the 8th snowiest winter on record. We have endured storm after storm of snow, ice, sleet, and freezing rain, with more to come this week. We have not been above 20 something degrees in 2 weeks, and we will have a single digit temperature tonight. But, that is winter, and winter will end. I hope.
Hope helps us to put the worst behind us; not to forget, but rather to tuck away. Hope helps us to remember that someday, the sun will shine, and we will go the the theater, out to eat, to the ball game, and the amusement parks without thinking of COVID. Hope reminds us that next year's birthday celebration will be better, and that vacation is not too far away. I hope that I can be back on college campuses presenting to student teachers and in elementary schools, with my children's book. How I miss connecting with others in such a positive way! I embrace great hope for the next school year.
I hope that in the bleak mid-February winter, you are able to find hope, for life to be better. Life is always better when you have hope.
"Once you choose hope, anything's possible." Christopher Reeve
As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions. Rittman Publishing, LLC ®
Please invite Grady Gets Glasses (and me) into your school. if you are not in the Pittsburgh area, we do virtual field trips with a group called Field Trip Zoom or we will come into YOUR classroom via ZOOM.www.Fieldtripzoom.com and a company called www.StreamableLearning.com GRADY GETS GLASSES was the winner of Best New Children's Book 2016 and 2018 (new edition) from The Authors' Zone.Grady also won a 2018 prestigious Moonbeam Award for Best Children's Book with Merchandise.
Visit Dede's web page for complete details on her award-winning book, STUDENT TEACHING: THE INSIDE SCOOP FROM A MASTER TEACHER. Many colleges have made the book required reading. Signed copies are available www.dederittman.com Dede is also a national speaker on The Three C's for Classroom success: Confidence, communication, and Creativity; Avoiding Teacher burnout; and many other inspirational topics.
I LOVE writing. And I love writing children's books- my newest passion. Although it will be a ton of work, I am looking forward to selling my books. Since I was a secondary teacher, I know that I have much to learn about elementary students, and I will have to follow my own advice and be my genuine self. However, I also know that I am passionate about helping kids who have to wear glasses, and that GRADY GETS GLASSES sends a positive message. I am willing to work hard and do all the things that also made me a successful teacher for 37 years. I remain inspired!
Elementary teachers in Western Pennsylvania and beyond - I am willing to come into your classroom in person or as a virtual field trip through a group called Field Trip Zoom. Check them out! http://www.fieldtripzoom.com/
Teacher friends- let me know if you want me to read GRADY GETS GLASSES at your school. I am willing to come in to discuss the creative writing process, why writing is important, and personal fulfillment through writing, along with reading my book. I would appreciate the exposure, and I would make signed copies available for purchase in your classrooms following the reading. Please email me at dederittman@gmail.com The website www.gradygetsglasses.com now has plush Grady bunnies for sale!
Please like Dede's new page Grady Gets Glasses for updates about her children's book. https://www.facebook.com/gradygetsglasses?ref=hl
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