Today held my heart in its palm.
I barely wrapped myself within one thought, before another swept through me. Warm coziness in one heartbeat, followed by icy claws in the very next.
It’s breath-taking, really, how very quickly a MindHeart (or in this case maybe a HeartMind?) is capable of responding.
The girls’ LOUD giggles and SISTERLY teasing raised my cheeks until they could raise no further.
But Brody felt smaller than usual and more on his own than always and let it be known with TEARS and WILDS and WORDS that I should have been proud to hear.
Flashes of the finest shades of pinks and purples whisped through the dreariest of grays, and I found it hard to know where to look.
The LOUD and the WILD got the best of me, and by the end of the day I was DONE.
So when I sat down to think my thoughts and write my words, I wavered between what I wanted to say, and what I wanted you now -and my kids later- to hear.
The good woven with the bad, the tight squeeze after The Mom Look, the bright spots in the gray.
Yes. Of course, yes.
But beneath that, in the layer that’s trickier to splay after the ups and downs of a day like today, is that I noticed.
I noticed the bright in Kayli’s eye when she giggled with a friend, and the clench in Chloe’s fist when I told her No in my most Mothering of voices, and the raise in Brody’s shoulders when he rode his bike so very far.
I noticed.
And that noticing, is what I speak for.
Because imagine what our days and hearts would look like if we all noticed each other just a touch more, and if we all knew that someone was noticing us.
A sweet friend told me that I think more than anyone she’s ever met.
Believe it or not, I took that as a compliment. If nothing else, I know it’s a Truth.
I think and write and blog for Noticing.
It’s why I see and remember and respond to glitter and slumps and fingertip grazes.
These are the details in my stories and the ones etched in my MindHeart and my HeartMind.
I notice my kids and my husband and my friends and, of course, I notice you.
And now, Nicole and I are over the moon to say, It’s your turn! Why do you blog? What can you not keep quiet about? What legacy do you hope to leave with your words and your voice and your heart?
Our linky will be open May 6th-13th. One lovely linker will win a 16 x20 canvas from the ever-fabulous Canvas Press and a copy of The Lorax, appropriately, on Mother’s Day.
Grab the badge and your voice and your words and link away, friends. We can’t wait to read your hearts!
Your children will know and love that you DID notice the little things and wrote them down, because those are the things that really matter. Always. xo
Thank you, sweet you.
And we’re the same here, too.
They/It/That really is what matters.
xo
Our first meme together with my bloggy girl crush … note how I put first in there … hoping this is a first of many magical moments to come my dear friend. I adore you, your words – and especially – your heart!
Thank you, girlie!
The crush and the magic are totally and completely mutual!
xo
Your perspective always amazes and enlightens me, Galit. Truly.
xo
Thank you, my sweet friend.
xo
Your words always inspire me, Galit. This post is no exception. I need to slow down and notice more.
xo,
Delilah
Oh, how that made my day.
Thank you, friend, so very much.
xo
Oh I love your heart. And your words…and your very deep thoughts my friend. xo
Love you right back.
xo
Slowing down and noticing …..Well said and beautifully written!
Thank you.
(truly)
Once I was told that I notice everything, and I took it to be a great compliment. Yes, there are hurts from when you notice. Yes sometimes all the noticing and feeling and analyzing is overwhelming and stressful. But you also notice all the beautiful moments, the little squeezes, the extra heart beat of nerves and excitement. The softness of their little hands around yours. I love your words. So much. I love you reminding me of the noticing.
Yes, this. Exactly this.
There’s so very MUCH that comes with Noticing, but I’ll take it.
(I know you get this, sweet friend.)
xo
Ah…Galit. We are so much the same in this. I truly loved this. It’s overwhelming sometimes…the noticing the empathy the everything. But overwhelming in the best, brightest sense of the word. Beautifully said.
Oh my, girlfriend, yes. The best kind of Overwhelming there is.
(I wouldn’t have it any other way, I know you’re the same, it’s how we’re connected.)
xo
The greatest gift we can give our kids is the knowledge that we notice. And you? You’re doing a wonderful job of doing that.
Thank you, sweet you, so very much.
(That was such a lovely thing to say, I know that you know and feel and want this, too. Happy to be in it together with you!)
xo
Oh, Galit…this is awesome! And I sure miss your beautiful words…life is slowing down now, and I can visit more.
I miss you too, my sweet busy friend!
(Love seeing your smile and your words!)
xo
I love everything about this. The beautiful post and the linkup. What a wonderful idea!
I’ll be back!
Thank you so much, you!
And I can’t wait to see *your* words, right here!
This my friend is why I am over the moon with your blog.
You are so observant of every ray of light, every giggle, every whisp of hair…you are brilliant.
Love you.
Love you right back.
(And thank you for all of that kindness and goodness and generosity. Truly.)
xo
Oh, this is so perfect Galit. I think this is one of my favorites of yours because it is so real and such a day in the life. I feel this way so often, the days can get ahead of me and I feel like I’m moving faster than I had ever wanted to but I still notice it all. Thank goodness.
Thank you so much, Jess.
And yes, I’m grateful for noticing – the good and the bad – too.
I loved the ice cream cones. They added to the color and helped us notice as readers some of the things you were describing, like the bright eyes!
Thank you, girl!
I can say, with authority, that the ice cream cones were a highlight for everyone!
I’m so glad that you notice.
We can choose to notice all of the bad, annoying, crazy things that life throws at us.
Or
We can choose to see all of the beauty, swirls of colour, giggles, and hand holding that we receive.
I think you beautifly remind us to look to the latter.
Thank you
Thank you so much, my sweet friend.
(I think) I’m an advocate for noticing the good and the bad.
It’s hard and painful to notice bad moments and hours and days, but necessary to truly See them in ourselves, and others, yes?)
It just takes a moment to notice, doesn’t it? Not that much time and yet how easy is it for us to not notice? When we don’t, we miss out.
So a part of why you are so good with the details when it comes to your family and your blog friendships. It is so clear that you notice, Galit and it shows BIG TIME.
Love this meme!
That was so kind, and so generous.
Thank you, friend, truly.
xo
I love this post so much. So beautifully written…caught between what you are feeling at the moment with the wild and loud and feeling with what you want them to know…what you want us to know…I get it. I so get it! Gorgeous pictures.
Thank you, sweet friend.
I know that you Get this – all of it – and that means so very much to me!
xo
I just love how you notice the nuances in everyday life. Something for all of us to strive for.
Thank you, sweet you.
(so much)
xo
You are so very good at noticing, Galit. That’s what keeps me coming back time after time, and inspiring me with each wave of love and loud and thoughtful that you write.
Thank you so very much, Greta.
(Your words mean the world to me.)
xo
Gorgeous. I love your HeartMind and your MindHeart. Because you do notice, and remember, and write, all with beauty and elegance that is both breathtaking and inspiring. They will always know you noticed. What a beautiful gift you are giving them. (And yourself.) (And us.)
That was so kind and sweet and generous and the parentheses made me way happier than they should have!
(Love me anyway, yes?)
Thank you, my sweet-as-pie friend, so much!
xo
Beautiful, Galit. I try so hard. Today? I noticed that when I’m too busy to read to my son–nursing the baby or rushing to get us out the door–he sits down and reads the book to himself.
And that breaks my heart.
Thank you, my friend.
(And I know about those heart breaking moments, too. They’re so…poignant, yes?
Hang in there, mama. We’ll keep cheering each other on for growth and noticing and, of course, parenting mirrors.)
You continue to amaze me. So selfless. Thank you, Galit
Oh thank you, friend.
(That’s a BIG word right there. Not sure if I’m ready to claim it? But thank you, nonetheless, for the kindness.)
Thank you for noticing, and being able to put it into beautiful words. “Fingertip grazes” – I can just see them….
Thank you, sweet friend.
(so very much)
I love those grazes.
Oh yes, I wanted to jump on this one. I have some ideas. Galit, have you thought about writing a children’s book? You are able to speak in a poetic abstractness that would please children, I think. It pleases us grownups too.
You? Are a good one, who I adore.
(But you already knew that.)
xo
I love noticing those little moments, it might be from a different perspective than your’s though
What a sweet, lovely post!
Thanks, you.
(And I’m down for different perspectives! They make the world go round, yes?)
Wonderful post.
I’ve been noticing a lot of little things lately and been smiling.
Love those smiles, girlfriend! Love!
This is one of my favorites because it’s so very you… xoxo
Thank you, sweet friend.
(I feel the *exact* same way about your post!)
xo
I truly think noticing things is one of the things that makes you a wonderfuo writer. You have so many views and visions to draw from.
Thank you so very much, Deirdre.
(truly)
Galit, you inspire me to notice more. And for that, I thank you so very much!
Love “the tight squeeze after The Mom Look!” =)
Thank you, my friend, for the kind words and for knowing exactly what I mean by The Mom Look! Ahem.
Love this perspective. Noticing is something I know I can do more of.
Thank you, my sweet friend.
(And me, too! We can all do more, yes?)
I did it! I joined a link before it is too late. Should I link at Nicole’s as well or are we meant to choose?
Oh, how I adore you!
I’m so THRILLED that you joined in and your post will automatically be linked at Nicole’s, too! #Woot
Ah yes, noticing. You, these words are so restful. I love that when I come here I find peace. And today, a beautiful reminder.
Thank you, my sweet-as-pie friend.
Your words fall into the gentle and restful category for me, too.
Meant to read each other’s hearts, yes?
xo
Totally, utterly beautiful. And I’m devastated that I don’t think I’m going to make your link up though I SO wanted to. Damn illness.
Oh no, you!
Feel better soon and *when* you do write the socks off of this (like I know you will) I’ll so read your words – even if it’s post-link up time!
So beautifully written! Mine is similar, but it’s not nearly as beautiful. Or beautifully edited. Though I will try to trim some of the 500 words before tomorrow
Thank you, girl!
I can’t wait to read your perfectly edited piece!
(400 or less is your fave, yes?
You’ve so got this and I’ll be right over to read as soon as you’re ready! 
)
Your beautiful writing always blows me away.
xo