Trust Your Instincts to Fly: Family Writing Day, Christakis

Christakis happens to be my favorite restaurant here in Orange County, yes. They happen to serve the most delicious and authentic Greek food, yes. And, the owners happen to be some of the loveliest people I know, yes (but not just because they're Greek, no.)

Well, in August, Christakis became something even more to me. A Family Writing Experience.

As a pretty large group, we settled around the angel (fountain) in the charming patio. Sure, it was a SoCal heatwave --but thanks to Sarah Wallace, one of the generous owners, we had lemonade (fresh,) strawberries, and hummus and veggies. To top it off, we had a community of writers--7 years old to...let's just say-- the age of wisdom. Together, we were ready to write, share, learn, and take risks.

We dove into the writer's toolbox, discussing powerful verbs, sensory details and how to show not tell. Brainstorming. Sharing. Creating. After a sense memory activity, the group got busy and wrote--and what arose was something beautiful. Rich, textured experiences, read proudly, under the sunshine, with our muse standing guard at the door.

It was a magic that I hope lasted well beyond our three hours together.

I am proud of this community of writers. Willing to leap off the cliff and trust their instincts to fly.

Courage, passion, and perseverance.

Emergency, Escape, by Mallory, Gr. 7

"Emergency"

It's a dull, dismal

pounding in the back if my skull.

How it came about

does not matter, only

how to get it out.

"Escape"

I sit

here. My back

cramping,

from the

position I

am in.

Living their

lives, at their

sides.

But a book,

isn't an

escape route.

It's only

a

dream.

Strawberries, a poem

STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries

Strawberries

Scatter in fields, stuffed in baskets, in my bowl

Strawberries

Strawberries

Thick and ripe, twin to a heart and rose

Tiny as a button, big like plums

Strawberries

Strawberries

Yum, yum, yum. O’h yum say the slithering slugs and snails

Sweet as sugar in my mouth or tasty lemon limes

Wrinkled noses from the spring smell

Strawberries

Strawberries

Oh I love strawberries

I'm Going to a Place

I’m going to a place Where I choose my path Where the road to success or failure lies in my hands I’m going to a place where life is dull and gray Where sugar tastes bland And everyone who cares for me Will turn their backs on me I’m going to a place where I’ve become nothing Where my future has crumbled Where the clouds of doubt and hopelessness follow me around I’m going to a place Where life is at its best Where sweet sugar flows in abundance Everyone I love surrounds me with care Where life will have trials with rewards I’m going to a place Where my whole future is set in front of me Doubt does not exist in a mind ready for success Where failure is never an option I may not know what my future has in store But only I decide what my next move is I’m going to a place Where I choose my path