Ohmyheart. (That is all.)
My shoulders ache, my eyes blur, my body curves.
After seeing three starry nights from beginning to end, this feeling – is welcome.
I note the still of our home.
HeartHearing the three sleep breaths just down the hall, I imagine they’re in perfect rhythm with Jason’s, right by my side.
He fell asleep to the bright and the noise and the flash of our television (not my favorite), our thighs and knees and toes touching (definitely my favorite).
Reaching for the remote -and Quiet- with one hand, I pull myself up for just one more To Do with the other.
I open one spiral notebook at a time, and pen my heart.
I would just like to say again: Ohmyheart.
We sent the girls off to school today.
Their flips flops smacked the sun kissed path that I swear we ran down only a heartbeat ago.
They made Ready look good.
And Brody and I? We found our way back to Two, which also looks Good.
We read and walked and laced fingers and ate chocolate (lots of chocolate).
First Day of School Peppermint Brownies. Obviously.
The girls came home from school full of stories and smiles and spills and papers and mess and loud.
Brody and I stood side by side. His small frame warm against me, my fingers thumbing the brightness of his hair.
Neck craned, he followed the web they wove the way only a younger brother can.
My own face tilted down, I tried to do the same, as only a MotheringHeart does.
Carefully grasping each of their details, I MindPainted their words.
Laughing with their friends, hair glittering beneath flourescent lights. Faces scrunched and wrinkled and focused, because they’re SoBusy. Squeezing friends tight, small glitter tipped fingers pressing warm against friendship.
Hanging their backpacks, running in gym, spilling their water, needing lunch money, trying new math, finding their fit.
I breathe out the need, the want, the ability to be there for every single one of their moments; that’s not in my job description anymore.
But in the Quiet of the night, before I give into my coveted sleep, I write notes to my girls.
This is where I whisper my sweet nothings. I’m so proud of you. You’re kind. Math is so your thing.
And where I plant reminders. Soccer tomorrow! Set out your dance clothes. Library. Yes, again.
But it’s also where I ask everything I’ve been waiting (somewhat) patiently to know. What made you happy? Who did you play with? Could anything have been better?
After I’ve written my Tolds and Asks, I tiptoe down the darkened hallway towards those definitely in rhythm sleep breaths, place one spiral bound version of my heart by each of their pillows, and wait for them to write me back.
Because this – this being here and ready and full of heart – is (definitely) my favorite.
Mother Daughter Journals
***
Word of mouth is the absolute best thing that can happen for anything, really. Please help me get the word out about:
- Slow down and capture a moment. Memories Captured with Alison of Writing, Wishing starts this Sunday September 10th. Our lovely sponsor this month is Dawn Butler Jewelry. Her pieces are the sweetest, and $50 worth of them? Can be all yours. Find out more here.
- Buy a book, fight cancer. Find out about Write for the Fight here.
Oh Galit, what a wonderful, beautiful so-you idea, those journals!!
Also, brownies are always a good idea.
Yes, always. Brownies are *always* a good idea, indeed!
{Thank you so much, sweet friend!}
I LOVE that idea Galit! It makes my heart happy.
Mine too, girl! {And thank you, so much!}
I have journals for both my kids that I started when they were babies, but I have not written in ages now. Seeing this reminds me I need to do get on that!
I absolutely love this idea! I’m sure they treasure the journals now, but think of how much they will treasure this when they’re older…what a gift, Galit.
I love, love being here in this resting place you’ve created.
I love the phrase “resting place” – thank you so very much for that.
{I love seeing our handwriting side-by-side as we write to each other. I’ve also thought how fun that’ll be to look back when they’re OlderAndBiggerAndFarAway. Sob.
}
Such an incredible way to start the day with a note of love on their mirror! And journals where you get to write love notes…wow. SO beautiful! You’re growing your girls into ones who will freely and generously share their love with others!
Thank you for that last line, girl. Truly.
I love this. So special, such a wonderful way to share and document life together. This inspires me to resume writing in the journals I started for my boys a couple of years ago – and to share the entries with them.
Oh how I love that! I bet they’ll so enjoy reading with you! We all love hearing “way back when” stories, right? Let me know how it goes if you decide to do it!
I love how you’ve found just the right thing for each of your children, whether it’s loving notes or time and chocolate.
Chocolate is always a win, right?
Thank you so very much for the note, sweet friend.
What a great idea and great post. Said like only you can say it. Your blog has become a real refuge for me
Thank you, friend.
{So kind, so generous.}
This is one of the best ideas I’ve ever heard! My oldest boy probably wouldn’t be into it even if it was possible for him now…and my youngest boy would just be goofy… But my daughter. SHE would get it. She would love it. As soon as she is old enough to write without assistance, we are definitely doing this.
You are a great mom by the way. You make even the mundane details of daily survival seem special – memory making. The childhood your kids will remember…it’s already epic.
Oh you, thank you so much.
When I started teaching, my mentor told me to keep a “Good Notes Box” to pull out for tough days. Your words? Are going into my mama version of the same!}
One more time: Thank you!
What a sweet idea! That is truly something to treasure for a lifetime.
I hope that the first few days of school have been great!
Thank you, girl!
{First few days went well, although we’re all pure exhausted! Fair enough, right? I hope things went well on your end, too!}
What a beautifully written post and fantastic way to communicate with your daughters. I love the idea of a Mother Daughter Journal! I may give this a try with my own daughter though she’s just 4 now. What age were your daughters when you began the Journal? I adore that you and Brady share chocolate moments!
Hi Kelli!
Thanks so much for your words, girl! I always love and appreciate them!
The girls and I just started this summer {so ages 6 and 8}.
But a dear friend gave the kids journals as a back to school gift and Brody {just turned 4} turned his into a journal between us! *Swoon*
So he draws me pictures and I write him back, and we “read” the pages together. It makes my heart absolutely burst! I also hope it’s a small step towards opening our lines of communication as he gets older, you know?
{I totally know that you know.
}
I want to scoop up every one of these ideas – the mirror messages, the journals, and, of course, the peppermint brownies/chocolate therapy. Maybe I’ll just scoop you up and you can share some of your creative mama love with me and my kids.
Happy Back to School, Galit! xo
Hi sweet friend! I’d love to be scooped up by you – anytime!
{Thanks so much for the words, girl! And happy back to school to you, too!}
xo
What a COOL idea. My daughter would LOVE this. SHe leaves me little lovies under my pillow all the time anyway.
That is so, so very sweet! Love!
What a beautiful way to strengthen your relationship with your girls! Will you do the same with Brody, do you think??
Reminds me of this: http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/2000/12/Prayers-On-A-Pillow-Keep-Mothers-And-Daughters-Close.aspx
xoxo
R
Hi girl! Thanks so much for the note!
A dear friend just gave the kids journals as back-to-school gifts and Brody turned his into a Mother Son Journal! Can we say swoon? Twice? Right now I ask him questions – favorite color, excited for preschool, most fun at the park, etc. he draws his response, and we read the pages together. Sweet, yes? I have high hopes for continuing this with him as he gets older!
{Thank you also for sharing that link with me! That was so very kind of you!}
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this idea! Would be great for reluctant writers like my son. I might try it with him! Such a sweet post, Galit. I love the message on the mirror too.
Thanks so very much, Nina!
And yes, that’s such a great point about this being motivating and fun for reluctant writers! #AlwaysATeacher
I so love this idea too. I love the idea of writing notes to each other and sharing thoughts in that way. I have “Mommy’s Book” where the boys draw pictures (and hopefully write notes when they get a little older) for me for my birthday, Mother’s Day, Christmas, etc. I love the idea of having a place to capture all their drawings in this way and the boys love doing it – it’s their little surprise for me
Oh girl, I absolutely LOVE that you do that! What an amazing keepsake and fabulous lesson for them in small acts of kindness! #RaisingGoodHusbands
I love this idea – I’ve never even thought of doing something like this, but it’s perfect! I think I may have to start this with my girls soon. Like next week. Thank you SO much for sharing!
Oh hooray, girl! That makes me so happy!
Let me know if you try it, and how it goes!
I really look forward to doing this with R…for now, I just keep journals that will read one day. Love this. xo
Oh, how I love that you do that!
Not surprised in the least, but love it, nonetheless!
xo
you know, I write in journals to my boys – but not for the present…in the hopes for me or them – to read one day. This present day note booking for them is absolutely precious.
Not to mention those mint brownies, cuz, yum.
Hi girl!
I absolutely love that you future-write! That’s such a fabulous keepsake and gift! We all love “remember when” stories, right?
And seriously – mint brownies, always a good idea. Always.
{Thanks so much for the note, friend!}
That colored leopard back-pack! It goes on forever!
Such a beautiful post, as always Galit. What were you making with the melted peppermint patty?
Hee! I know, right? She’s so very tiny and decided to attach her lunchbox to the front that day! #NeverAgain #TopplingOver
And we made mint brownies! Holy yum!
Oh my gosh, this is SUCH an amazing idea!! I am SO going to do this with K… and maybe even the boys! LOVE IT, Galit!! xo
Yay! I can’t wait to see how you do this, girl! Let me know how it goes! xo
Those mother daughter journals are such a great idea. I bet the girls love waking up to find your words in the morning.
Thank you so much, friend!
{And yes! We all love finding the journals bedside whenever they show up!}
This is so very sweet! I love this idea, Galit!
Thank you, girl! {so much!}
I started this with Eloise when she was in 1st grade…and we did it for about four months until her note back to me was “Don’t write to me anymore as this is starting to be too much work!” Yes, she did. LOL
Ohmygoodness Tracy! Dying! That’s too much. Love that girl!
Oh I absolutely love this idea, what a great way to encourage them to continuing sharing with you. I could see this being so helpful for years to come. And such a great mom you are… it shines through in every word. xo
Thanks so much, Jess!
{I was thinking the same exact thing about years to come!}
I absolutely love all of the variations we figured out of this – it’s just a pure lovely thing, isn’t it?
You dear lady is so amazing with words. Your words captivated me. Beautifully written and pulled my heart strings. Love all the pictures especially your love note for your girls, that is something that they will remember forever. The journal idea is so amazing too. Bravo!
Thank you, sweet friend, so very much. You’re a love. xo
Galit, this is a wonderful idea! I suggested it to my son over the weekend and he was interested. We are definitely going to try.
Oh, hooray! That makes me so very happy!
Let me know how it goes, okay?
One more time: HAPPY!
After you told me about this, I purchased three journals to do the same. I mean, really- HOW COULD YOU NOT?!!! But. They are still sitting there empty, waiting to be dedicated. I am going to do it now. Coffee and journal dedication will be done during this rest time today. Thank you for sharing parenthood with me. XOXO
Thank you for you, and that is all. Truly.
{Also? I must see the dedications that you created. I’ll be there for coffee in 5. Forget rest time!
}
xo
You’re really very sweet of a mom. I think that mother-daughter journal is really a good idea.
Thank you Mark, so, so very much.
This is such a cool idea, and I would love to do it with my daughter who is kind of shy and quiet (maybe she would like writing to me). But my question is, how do you get it started? How do I broach the subject with her? Just say, “Hey, I got this notebook for us to write back and forth to each other in…”? She’s 12 now. Will she like it, or think it’s dumb?
I know you can’t know all the answers to my questions…just asking them rhetorically.
Hi girl!
I think you should just go for it! Either tell her about it in advance (that’s what I did) to give her a heads up/get her excited for it, and then one day leave it for her on her pillow or wherever with your first note already written, or just have it show up.
Even if she’s slow to warm to the idea, I would keep at it. But I’m pushy like that!
Let me know how it goes, okay?
{I love what you wrote about her maybe loving writing like you! Seriously, how swoon-worthy is that? Love!}
Oh, what an exquisite idea! Mother Daughter journals. Yes!
You are a superb creature, my friend.
xxx
Right back at you, my sweet-as-pie friend.
Thank you. {Truly}
xo
Love the journal idea! I found a new way to connect with my older daughter, who just started kindergarten this year. It is half day here, so she goes in the am. When she gets off the bus, we have lunch together, her little sister included. Then when the little one takes her afternoon nap, we do a project together — whether it’s cooking or baking or crafting or reading a nature magazine together. During that time, I get to learn so much about her life! I had the option to put her in a full-day program, but I chose to have her come home to spend time with her sister before she’s gone all day next year. I’m glad I get to hold on to this time together for one more year.
Jen
How did I miss this post?! As a mom of two girlies, this is awe inspiring. What great way to communicate and have it all written down to cuddle up and read with in months and years to come. You are such a thoughtful mom, Galit! xo
Oh, Galit…what a wonderful idea!
Where were you 10 years ago? This is lovely, seriously. And your words are magical.
I love this idea so very much. It is perfect. What a beautiful thing for your girls to have your words mixed with theirs to hold close forever.
Brilliant.