Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Lessons in Loving

I have been keeping my commitment to savor time instead of squandering it. Tonight was valentine night. Instead of brownies, we made cookies, but otherwise, things went according to plan. I find that each time I really slow down and listen, my daughter has something to teach me. Tonight's lessons were on how to show love. Let me tell you about them.
Each year we make valentine's for Sloane's classmates and the other special people in her life. No tiny, store-bought, fold-up cards for us. There is just something special, meaningful, about creating with a particular someone in mind. Fitting a person to a pack containing five similar choices is just not the same.
This year I bought 30 foam hearts from WalMart and a glitzy pack of stick-on hearts and flowers. We got out the Sharpies and went to work. Sloane is enough like me that I sometimes wonder if she isn't a born teacher. She gets busy creating and likes to tell me why she does things in a particular way. She was busy writing her name onto the back of one valentine when she said this, "Have you been wondering why I write my name so tiny and theirs so big? Well, it's because this is not about me. It's about them." She's seven. And, she's not through.
We kept talking and crafting. Then, "Momma, do you know why I am making every valentine different? Because it makes people feel special to know you noticed things about them. Like how I made Evann's about sports and Briana's about coloring. They will know I paid attention to them. That always make people feel good."
God gives us days when we know that everything we are doing is exactly what we should be doing. Days when we feel humbled and elated at the same time. Days when there is nothing else on Earth you would rather do than play with a little girl, glitter, foam, and Sharpies. Life is sweet.

Happy "Valentime's Day", dear ones.

22 comments:

ELK said...

a happy sigh from here and a resounding YES!!!

JUST ME said...

How sweet Relyn.....

And yes I would love to meet you one day and have lunch. You are totally invited to come and see me one day in Chicago. I would love to have ya!

Peace to you,

Angelica

spread your wings said...

this brought tears to my eyes tonight for some reason. maybe because i am writing and reminiscing about my daughter's birthday and how she is now all grown up.
Sloane is definitely her mother's daughter - sweet and thoughful in every way.

Dutchbaby said...

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, Relyn and Jeffrey. Wonderful, heartwarming story!

Happy Valentine's Day!

christina said...

So beautiful! She gets it from you both. : ) It just takes a few moments to feel true love, doesn't it?! : )

d smith kaich jones said...

Oh, how wonderful to read this! How wonderful to live in a house with such an observant, thoughtful child - yes, I know, she probably has those days when you feel not so much, but how wonderful, truly. And I'm sure those days are few & far between.

:) Debi

beth said...

how sweet is that daughter of yours and what a great time you had together...she is SO wise....sniff sniff !

Patti said...

Hi~ What a sweet post and such a sweet daughter! Isn't it wonderful all we find out when we slow down and focus... Lovely!

Patti

madelyn said...

that is a wise and heartful
child you share the world with
my dear

she is just like her mom

spilling over with love:)

Connie said...

dabbing a tear from my eyes...well done MOM!!! Children learn from example and are constant reminders of our behavior!

Jeanne said...

Love you
Happy Valentine's Day

Jessica said...

Someday I'll be a mama half as wonderful as you. Until then Sloane is one lucky girl-her Valentines are great!!!!

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, she gets it!!!! At such a young age...it must be from her mother! I just wanted to cry reading this - it brought back so many memories. Hug her, hug her real tight! They grow up so fast and then they are gone..... (for awhile).

Thank you for your sweet words on my blog. I appreciate you stopping by. It's always a breath of fresh air.

Suvarna said...

Oh how beautiful. Beautiful that she is so thoughtful and reflective. Beautiful that you take the time to help her make a different one for each child. So very sweet.

Thank you for your heartfelt response to my post. It is encouraging to know that I have touched someone's heart. You are such a kind and generous person, I am glad joy found you today. Your husband sounds like a beautiful soul too!
Love,
Suvarna

jae said...

Just think, if you hadn't slowed down you would have missed that. I'll take a lesson there.

Anonymous said...

i love this sharing for so many reasons which i could go on and on about...but i think the one thing that stands out so very clearly is time...how allowing ourselves to slow down and put away whatever distractions we may have and to just open up the universe to ourselves and to those we love can reveal to us wisdom and connection far beyond anything we can possibly imagine...

her valentines are gorgeous...her heart is precious...sharing her thoughts a gift for all of us so blessed to have clicked through...

Tina { Luphia Loves... } said...

the little hearts are so pretty & cute! thanks for your sweet comment on my little blog, i'm glad you liked it :)

have a lovely weekend, xx

Lubna said...

Happy Valentine Day, Relyn. Thank you for the wonderful post on my blog. You have an adorable sensitive daughter. I am sure she spreads sunshine in her school.

Anonymous said...

thank you for the sweet comment on my blog. yours is just beautiful. i love this post. valentines day should surely be about learning how to show love...
xx
chloe

Lennye said...

How sweet!

Anonymous said...

oh such a good story about sloane and momma. i never tire of hearing her words of wisdom :) wow are you sure she isn't going to be a social worker? maybe she could do both...she could get her PHD and then teach social workers how to life a compassionate life.

xoxox happy heart day everyday!

paris parfait said...

So heart-warming when we see glimpses of the wonderful, thoughtful creatures our children are becoming! xo

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