You can play a shoestring, if you’re sincere.
– John Coltrane, American jazz saxophonist, bandleader and composer (1926-1967)

This message is shared by Erin Glenn, Managing Editor of Exchange.

When I was little, my best friend lived next door, and we spent hours creating plays and performances in my unfinished basement. We sold tickets to our Moms for twenty-five cents. They were friends, too. I imagine them enjoying a cup of coffee as they sat through our meandering and improvisational performances. Gazing back through time to those shows, I remember my friend holding up a flashlight as a spotlight for me. I hope I held it up for her, too, but my memory fades. How I hope I held space for her, centered her, celebrated her! I wonder what she remembers of those plays and shows. I think I’ll reach out and ask her. If I didn’t do it then, maybe I can do it now. It’s never too late to shine a light on someone you love.

Today at Exchange Press, and in the days and weeks to come, we want to share the limelight with You. We want to live up to our name in new ways by inviting and embracing the fullest possible Exchange of ideas, perspectives, stories and inspirations. We want to be a place of engagement, strength, belonging, and growth for all practitioners in early care and education — for our readers, authors, and community members. We want to shine a light on you and your voice. We say to you, “Come as you are, and tell about it.”

We are honored when we hear that ExchangeEveryDay is a special part of your day. What topics are we missing? What ideas would you like to hear more of? We invite you to enrich this offering by adding your voice to the mix and broadening the Exchange. We hope you will consider submitting up to 275 words as a guest contributor to ExchangeEveryDay. Here is the form, if you’d like to give it a whirl. And here is more information about writing for Exchange, including articles for digital or print publication.

I hope you’ll step into the space that is lit up for you here, and share your voice with us – your real, true voice and heart and mind – as we explore together what is possible in daily life, in the early care and education space, and in this changing, beautiful world.