NCAA Tournament · slice of life · Slice of Life Story Challenge · small moment · summer vacation

Stacey’s Slice of Life Story: Jacob’s Pillow HERE I COME!

Stacey Shubitz

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We stayed up late last night to watch the final game between Kansas and Memphis. Only two points separated Marc and I from one another in our little bracket contest. I was behind Marc by two points because I had Duke making it ’til the end (with Kansas winning). If the Jayhawks didn’t win, then I’d be driving around a golf cart for one upcoming round of golf (for him). If the Jayhawks did win, then Marc would find himself at Jacob’s Pillow once this summer. Regardless, someone was going to lose last night.

I was dozing on the couch, trying to keep my eyes open. Every now and then I’d hear the announcers say something that made me perk up (e.g., a three-point shot). I thought it was over until I heard that they were going into overtime! This was my final chance, I thought!

I dozed-off a couple more times during the short, five-minute overtime. I was awoken to Marc saying, “You won Stace. We’re going to Jacob’s Pillow.”
A smile spread across my face.
We shook hands, but I confessed to Marc, “I don’t feel like I won if I beat you.”
He nodded. “I know. I would’ve felt the same way,” he admitted.
There’s something a bit satisfying about winning the pool, but it doesn’t feel like a true victory when you beat someone that you love.

Final 1 2 OT T
Kansas #1 « 33 30 12 75
Memphis #1 28 35 5 68

Nonetheless, after many years of wanting to see what Jacob’s Pillow was all about, I’m going this summer!

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Published by Stacey Shubitz

Stacey Shubitz is a K-6 literacy consultant and former elementary teacher. She is the author of CRAFT MOVES and other professional books on writing workshop. Her forthcoming book, MAKE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM WORK FOR YOUR CHILD WITH DISABILITIES (Guilford Press, 2026), empowers parents to navigate the special education system.

11 thoughts on “Stacey’s Slice of Life Story: Jacob’s Pillow HERE I COME!”

  1. Pingback: Stacey’s Slice of Life from a Fantastic Day at Jacob’s Pillow « TWO WRITING TEACHERS

  3. I woke up to the radio this morning and the first thing I heard was the sports segment. I was still groggy and incoherent, but when they announced Kansas had won, I snapped awake. “Wasn’t that Stacey’s pick?” I thought. Congratulations! And have a great time at Jacob’s Pillow!

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  5. Stacey,

    I wasn’t sure if I would continue to post Slice of Life Stories, yet today was my first day to post on my Peace Blog for a week – and I remembered it was Tuesday. So here I am back with the group. I have been sick and not feeling well enough to work on the computer. I really appreciate reading about the work you are doing with your students. I wish I would have had a teacher like you when I was growing up!

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  7. Haha…good for you…a vacation! Honestly I don’t even know where Jacob’s Pillow is…so I will be googling it!! I was out of the pool on Saturday…I was for UNC!
    We live in a divided house…Duke vs UNC.
    Have a gr8 week! 🙂

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  9. I’m so glad I know someone who won a pool — my picks were horrific this year! I think I was out of the running by the Sweet 16.
    Enjoy Jacob’s Pillow, and thanks for hosting everyone’s slices.

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  10. Enjoy Jacob’s Pillow. It’s a wonderful place. My brother and sister-in-law spent the weekend watching those games live, in San Antonio. I give Marla a lot of credit. She’s married to one obsessed sports fan. It’s a good thing Tuvia is all about movies and books.
    Bonnie

    Happy to be back slicing. I had my slice ready to go yesterday.

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  11. I guess my wife won 90 bucks in her NCAA pool. (My chart tanked weeks ago when UConn and Georgetown bit the big ones).
    We get to go to dinner!

    Have fun at the Pillow.

    Kevin

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