Author Archives: Sally Gerard

In “The Summer Day,” by Mary Oliver, she writes: “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” It’s about noticing and it’s about making your one life count for you. When given … Continue reading →

I don’t believe that most people fit into the category’s others place them in. We have our little boxes and we want to put people into them based on one post or one conversation, the clothes we wear, the vehicle … Continue reading →

Hiking in the mountains this week, I had the trail all to myself in the pre-dawn and for about an hour or so. I was hiking along, hopeful that I’d see the bull elk I’d heard frequented a certain meadow. … Continue reading →

The envelope had no return address and held only some dried flower petals. She smelled the sweet scent before she opened it, and it clung to the tips of her fingers. She thought they must be lavender, though there was … Continue reading →

I was thinking about the resilience of trees as I hiked along under their cover of cool shade. What force can bend a tree around itself? And the tree yields but continues to reach up. Other trees have fallen, their … Continue reading →

People who know me, know that summertime means hiking. I look forward to it all year long and miss it as soon as August hits and school is back in session. I hike with a good friend, we’ll call her … Continue reading →

Hope seems to be in short supply for many people, and not just now, but at other certain times in our lives. How do we hold onto hope? Rediscover joy? Find the courage to make a new move? Reach out … Continue reading →

How is that someone you’ve never met can become a friend, a confidant, a blessing in a moment where you were in despair? In my work as an online teacher, I have colleagues I’ve never met, yet they ask about … Continue reading →

Nelson Mandela said, “May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” I’ve made far more fear-based choices than I have hope-based ones. But the most recent hope-based choice I made was going back to school to earn another master’s … Continue reading →

For teacher appreciation week, my company sent us all a gratitude journal for teachers. I’m a sucker for almost any kind of notebook with lined pages to write on and inspiring quotes and such to get the juices flowing. I’ve … Continue reading →