April's story: "Today Was Broccoli"
Some days are like that
Hiya, and happy April.
I hope it’s lovely where you are. Here in southwestern Germany, the weather can't make up its mind yet whether to be warm or cold. A few days ago, it was 23 degrees Celsius (about 73 degrees F). The next morning when I walked to the post office, it was just above freezing.
Still, the huge cherry tree blossoming across the street is exuberantly announcing that warm days are arriving soon. The tree is so extravagent with beauty only a Mary Oliver poem could do it justice. Yesterday I managed to un-distract myself long enough to go sit on a bench and just consider it for a while.
It was a really nice day.
I’ve been thinking lately about good days and bad days. How we all have them. And how easy it is to lose perspective sometimes when you’re having a bad day. So I hope this month’s story will be a little nudge for your kids toward letting bad days go when they inevitably show up.
Happy reading,
— Jeff
PS. Apologies to broccoli lovers.
Today Was Broccoli
Today was a bad day.
If a day was
something to eat,
today was
broccoli.
If a day was
a sound
today was
fire alarm.
If a day was
a picnic
today was
rain.
If a day was
watching a parade,
today was
standing behind a tall guy.
If a day was
a bowl of cereal
today was
you’re out of milk.
If a day was
a smell
today was
fart.
If a day was
you got a part in the school play,
today was
person in crowd.
If a day was
pizza toppings,
today was
broccoli.
If a day was
finishing,
today was
last.
If a day was
sprinting to the bathroom because you have to pee,
today was
not making it.
If a day was
you need to go somewhere fast,
today was
lots of traffic.
If a day was
baby animals,
today was
baby scorpions.
If a day was
kittens
today was
kitten claws.
If a day was
a birthday present,
today was
toothbrush.
If a day was
things you could get in your trick-or-treat bag,
today was
broccoli.
If a day was
spelling-test words
today was
onomatopoeia.
If a day was
places for a cat to barf,
today was
on your pillow.
If a day was
places for a dog to barf,
today was
on the cat barf on your pillow.
If a day was
an amusement park ride,
today was
you're not tall enough.
If a day was
places to land while parachuting,
today was
cactus.
If a day was
meeting new people,
today was
meeting cannibals.
If a day was
things you accidentally open,
today was
rocket ship door.
If a day was
things that could magically come to life and want to play tag,
today was
a steamroller.
If a day was
"What’s that coming toward us?"
today was
"It’s a meteor."
If a day was
you just found out you have a famous ancestor
today was
the person who invented broccoli.
If a day was
a good day,
today
wasn’t.
Today was a bad day.
Some days are like that.
Everybody has 'em.
That's why there's tomorrow.
Listen to “Today Was Broccoli,” read by the author.
🥹 “that’s why there’s tomorrow.”
This was a touching, funny and expressive read, I loved it!
Thank you.
You really made my day :)
P.S. and I love broccoli