SOLSC 2015 #9: How to prepare myself?

Each day during March, I am participating in the Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOLSC). All participants are writing about one moment, one part of their day, every day for thirty-one days. My slices will be primarily about teaching preschoolers. Check out the Two Writing Teachers  website for lots more reflections on teaching. Thanks especially to Stacey, Tara, Anna, Beth, Dana, and Betsy for hosting this writing challenge. 

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We had an unexpected four day break this weekend, due to a snowstorm last Thursday. Time to head back to teaching. How to prepare myself mentally? How to savor the last moments of this quiet weekend? Nature gave me such a gift! The sun was shining, the temperature was in the 50s, and there was a slight breeze in the air. I put on my hiking boots and headed down to the path, where the snow had not been cleared by any means other than sun and outdoor enthusiasts. The snow was in a rapid melt, seven inches of snow becoming two, and fast-paced to none. Oh, what a beautiful walk I had! I loved the sound of the melting snow in my boots...squeerrrch! squiiiisssh! squaaach! I loved the feel, the snowy slush fighting my every step, making me work my muscles. Every step - lift the foot high, and, on the landing, each step rooted in place. To move quickly is hard work, I hear and feel my panting breath. Every step, every slip of my foot ends with a stuck. Slip, stuck. Slip, stuck. Slip, stuck.  Leaving footprints. I feel victorious. Only the stalwart dare explore. It was such a solitary walk - one lone runner (taking much bigger risk than I, moving so quickly through the snow). Where the sun has been able to do its work, there is mud and water and mud puddles galore. The snow was white, translucent, grey, or brown - snow in transition to spring. The trees so bare still, so much light pouring in. The sky so blue, the air so fresh and clean. So much silence all around - simply the sound of the creek, rushing, filling fast with water from melting snow. I won't have this silence today. But I will have happy and I will have sunshine...and I will have snowy mud. I need to write the families and remind them - bring your boots! bring your boots! We are going out! Spring is here!