Monday, February 16, 2009

Monday Memories: Letters To My Children



Fifteen years ago, January 24, 1993, I started writing letters to my children. I got a plain old ordinary notebook and set forth to writing. Some days it was to one of them and some days it was to all of them. I knew that they couldn't read yet, but it was a great way to capture a moment in time of my feelings of motherhood and life. I got the idea from an article I read from a mother who started writing letters to her children. I have long since put away the notebook and stopped writing. Oh! How I wish I would have continued, because I look back now at the wonderful snapshots in time and long for those days when my children were small. My boys are now 20, 17, and almost 15, and they know about the notebook. They have read it and laughed at some of the things that they did and said.


So, that brings me to my next idea. I am going to use Mondays to chronicle my writings, starting with that first one on January 24, 1993. When I get to the end, I may pick up the notebook again and start in the present. After all, it's never too late to write letters to your children. I also think it is important to first put it in my own handwriting, a hard copy, if you will. There is just something much more personal about it that way. I need to transfer mine to a binder, as some of the ink is starting to fade and maybe laminate the pages to keep the spoilers of time away. So, won't you join me? All you need to get started is a sheet of notebook paper and a pen. You can pick out a lovely binder later.


I'm going to get us started by posting the first entry that I ever wrote. This will give you an idea of what I've been talking about. in mind that Justin (now 20) was 4 years old and Chase (now 17) was 2 years old, and I was pregnant.




Tuesday, January 24, 1993

Dear Justin, Chase, & ?,
I read an article the other day by a mother who began writing letters to her children, even before they were born. It seemed like a great idea. This way, you'll be able to know what life was like when you were children. So, here goes...
I love you all very much. You are the joys of my life. I get upset with you at times, but I love you always. The hardest part of the day is bedtime. I have to threaten you both before you will hush and go to sleep. It usually takes an hour for you two to get to sleep. You always want to sleep with me...and sometimes I let you. In the mornings I usually end up with at least one of you (usually Chase) who wondered into my room during the night. Nights it is hard to make you quit saying, "Good night! See you in the morning! I love you, too!" over and over.
Justin, in about 2 weeks you will be 5 years old, and I will be 25. Boy, where has the time gone? I remember the cold Winter day your daddy and I brought you home (or rather to your Maw Maw's and Paw Paw's). You were all bundled up with those big eyes shining. That was one of the happiest days of my life. It gave me that feeling I had as a little girl on Christmas morning when I had gotten a new doll. Only, I wasn't a little girl anymore, and you weren't a doll. You were my firstborn baby, born on my birthday. My birthday present. The best birthday present I ever got. I used to "sing" you to sleep with "Brahms Lullaby", "Rock-a-Bye-Baby", "Jesus Loves Me", and "Jesus Loves The Little Children". A few times through them and you would be asleep. It's been almost 5 years since then, and you're growing up. You'll be starting kindergarten in the Fall. You are such a smart boy. Sometimes I forget that you are only 4 years old. I hope you grow up and continue to use those "smarts" in all you do. I love you so very much. I always will.


I hope you will decide to join me in writing letters to your children. If you decide to post one, please grab the button on the sidebar and link back to me. Also, leave me a comment to let me know that you are participating. I may put up a "Mr. Linky" later if this idea takes off. I hope to hear from some of you soon.

7 comments:

Unknown said...

What a great Idea! I might have to do this one.

Mrs. Simmons said...

Hi Sandra! I didn't know you were a blogger! Cool! I love this post. I am going to start writing letters to my children. What a great idea! I do it in my head all the time, but I need to start writing it down.

BPOTW said...

I have a small notebook for each of my two daughters but I'm not disciplined enough about writing regularly. Thanks for reminding me, it is a big deal and I want them to have plenty of letters once they're grown!

And thanks for sharing with BPOTW!

LegalMist said...

Thanks for sharing. What a cool idea.

Sharmistha Guha said...

What a wonderful idea!
My daughter is 3 years old. And your words "Sometimes I forget that you are only 4 years old. I hope you grow up and continue to use those "smarts" in all you do." are an echo of my thoughts....for that matter, it is probably an echo of every mother's thoughts....

coupongeek said...

What a beautiful concept! I even blogged about it for you. Thanks for sharing!

I had to laugh when I saw your outnumbered comment in your profile. My SIL is like you...but she has 5 boys and her dog's a male, too :)

~Jaycie aka Coupon Geek

Iva said...

Hi! I ventured over from Coupon Geek. I love the idea! I'm an avid journaler - or I was until life kind of got in the way. I have started two journals - one for my boy (now 11) and one for my girl (now 7). Somewhere along the way, I stopped doing it. But I do love the idea. I just might join you!