Wasabi Mommy's blog is experiencing some technical diffilcuties. To assist those wanting to do the letter prompts, I have copied them word for word (no editing) from Wasabi Mommy's blog. All prompts are on this one post.
Introduction
So this is a 14 day challenge for any or all of my followers to do. If you do decide to take the journey I hope you will post a few of your letters and or thoughts in the comment area. Some of you may begin to read into this post and figure out what it is really about and say---" I am not doing that or talking about that it's morbid." Ok so let's just get to the meat of the discussion... I want to have every mother, grandparent and or father to sit down for the next 14 days and follow my leads for topics and create a letter to your child or grandparent, That's easy what is the catch???? The catch is they are for them to read upon your death... I find letter to be simple and honest expressions of a persons values and a reflection about your life. It is a window for your child or grandchild to see what you were like or how you thought about things, ideas and them. It can be filled with your hopes for them for the future- the gift of reading some one we loves thoughts is a treasure. I have a few cards my dad wrote me over my life, but no letters and boy do I wish I did.
Where did the idea come from ???? Well it may have started with my dad's sudden death in 2003 or it may have started with my pregnancy when I was purchased the book Letters for Tomorrow A journal for Expectant Moms and Dads ( my side bar- on the blog has copies of all the books I refer to in this blog.
Next the idea became to swarm in my head about Aiden having Neurofibromatosis and what if he lived and I died and he had to be motherless with a special needs situation. I began writing him letters to tell him how special I thought he was even with this illness. Then it was the book called A journal for Jordan by Dana Canedy about a tragic story of love and war. A father writes letters to his unborn son and he dies for our country. "The book is a living , breathing legacy." says author of The color of water by James McBride.
Finally, my thoughts came today in class when a student of mine's mom was invited to speak about her adoption of him from China. She read a book about orphanages in China. She mentioned about people in China being allowed to have only one child and often if they had more they were sent to jail- I thought about how difficult and painful this would be and how many children are given up for these reasons and for health reasons. This child in my room needed surgery and the American parents believe he may have been placed in the orphanage as the Birth parents may have known they would not be able to afford or get this type of medicine or surgery in China. I began thinking of those birth mothers and if they had or wanted to write letters to their children- I found a book called Letters from China by Bonnie Cuzzolino
So The challenge if you choose to accept it is simple starting Saturday you will begin a letter based on part or all of a topic I provide to your child, in case you died suddenly. You will hand write them if possible and keep them all bond at the end with a ribbion or string or in a specially decorated box.
Start brain storming about your values and reflections you would like to share.
" Why cannot letters inspire? They have souls; they can speak; they have in them all the force which expresses the transports of the heart; they have all the fire of our passions. Letter from Heloise to Abelard
A word about Procrastination:
If you have the tendency to put things off until the last possible moment and don't understand why you do this, there are many reasons but try to avoid procrastination. You will be able to begin a process of honest self-disclosure, which is a valuable form of communication.Children even children who have grown into adults like to see you are human and have had problems and are still able to openly communicate about them.
Day 1
Ok my 12 followers I am counting on you to try this and post some of your letters I too will post a few letters so you can read.
Take a moment to ask yourself, "When I write,what works best for me? Under what conditions do I do my best writing?"
You can write short letters or long , it's not the length it's the topic, sometimes a few words can paint such a special memory.
Things to include in your letters:
How you feel:
Time of day
the weather
the location while writing
Who is with you while you're writing you letter
"Sit my by a crackling fire and read some of your favorite letters. While sitting there soaking up all the love and support, think of one person you love and write a beautiful, loving letter to that person. Let the flame in your hearth warm you heart. One letter in a lifetime to a mother, daughter or a special friend could make a greater difference than you dare to believe."
Alexandra Stoddard ( Gift of a letter)
Today's Topic
Things I may never have told you about your birth and growing up that I love about you... Things that make you unique and just you.
Day 2
Topic: Today write a letter about taking pride in what you do. Talk about being humble. Talk about being thankful for the accomplishments you have ....
Day 3
Write a letter about marriage if you are married and what you have learned about how to keep a marriage together or alive, if your divorced write a letter talking about how being on your own felt finally and why it worked for you and why you are stronger from it. Tell your children or grandchildren about the day of your wedding if you are married a long time, talk about the nerves, the weather, the season it was and where it was. Talk about advice people gave you about marriage and dating...
Happy writing and remember to give me your email and permission to post any letters you would like to share. I will be posting a few this week.
Keep those journal letters going.
Day 4
This letter is one I am sharing with you... The topic is about being pregnant... If you weren't and adopted write about the wait, and the day you went to adopt... etc...
November 04, 2004
Baby to be,
I have worried about being able to conceive my own biological child since I was in my late 20's. I have wanted to be a mother with such a desire. I was an Au pair to a little girl for 4 years, and I had so much enjoyment from her that I knew I could be a good mom. I was engaged to a man before your father and I could have gotten married or pregnant with him, but I did not want to have a child just to have one, although if you want a child badly one might do almost anything. I wanted a loving "family" for you. I felt you having a network of people around you and a father who saw you daily would help you develop. I know some people loose their fathers to death, divorce and more, and I am sure the mothers make sure that there is a grandfather, uncle or brother to stand in and be that network.
I am 36 years old when I write this and you are finally real to me, You are only just a grain of rice but You are there and you are real. I feel like I will be old when you are in your 20's and for that I am sorry. I will try my hardest to keep up with you and be young and some what hip. My own mother is turning 50 this year. She had me when she was 19. I can't imagine having a child that young, I would be such an imature mother if I conceived you at 19.
I am happy you are here. I am happy to be your mother, I can't wait to meet you.
Love,
Your mother to be
Day 5
Today will be a bit different
First of all a good friend of mine told me that she is not partaking in the letter writing because it's a bit morbid to write to her son maybe a bit superstitious, but she has planned her funeral, written her obituary( this is another day and another post) and has made photo albums of her sons childhood with her. I think these are all important things if you have not done these things, I am not financially able to do all those things but it is important to do some if possible.
Today's letter is a letter strangely enough to yourself ( yes you) It is something your child or children would enjoy reading but it's to you. It is a letter about what I (you) thought work would be like as a child, what I have always wante3d out of work, what I dreamed I would be doing for a living, and what I have actually done for a living. Maybe about what it will be like in the future. You may consider the ways I have failed and the way I have succeeded. Think about what kind of person you are, what skills and abilities you have, and whether or not ehat I have chosen for a living will realize the unique abilities I was born with.
Dear---------------
The first thing I ever wanted to be was because
When I remember that now, I think
Other things I wanted to be as a child were
I'm not sure what that means about me; perhaps it shows that
My mother was---------------------
What did I think about her job???
My father was
What did I think about his job
I'm not sure what influence they had on me, but maybe
When I was older I thought of being because
What I wanted from life then was
Now I think
When I think about all the things I wanted to be,, I realize
The people I've met through work that meant the most to me were
Day 6
A friend of mine told me she reads my blog daily, she is a bit younger and she has no children, but she purchased a journal and is keeping a record of our friendship. I would have never thought to do this for a friend. So if you have no children write a letter to you husband or a good friend and tell them how you felt when you first met them.
I want to tell you about another journal book called Just between YOU and ME it is an interactive journal for parents and their children it's by Tracy Rumpf
the following is from the first page in this book...
"Dear Mom and Dad,
Have you ever asked your child a question and gotten no response? Have you found at times that communicating with your tween or teenager is next to impossible? I think that at one time or another, all parents have been in this situation.
When my ten-year old son started to have some problems in school, He did not want to talk to me about it. As much as it broke my heart that he wouldn't share his feelings with me, I knew I had to find a way to help him communicate his feelings. I bought a notebook and started writing down a few general questions about his feelings. We started writing back and forth to each other and before I knew it, he was opening up to me and telling me what was going on with him.
We began a journaling ritual. When I was finished writing. I would put the notebook on my son's bed, and when he was finished writing he would put the notebook on my nightstand. We never verbally spoke about it; it was like we were part of a secret club and it was really fun. I began to do the same with my ten-year old daughter, and I now feel that I have a good handle on what is going on in my children's lives. They start middle school this year, and in today's world, all parents need to find a way to communicate with their kids.
Here's how to use the journal:
Don't feel the need to write in it every day
Typically in our house, we journal when there are problems, but we also journal about positive things. At least once a week I make sure to write how proud I am of them and point out the good things they are doing.
Between YOU and ME is not only a way for you to communicate with your child, but it will also be a keepsake that you will have forever of the written thoughts and feelings between you and your child. What a wonderful gift to have."
So there you have it- it also has a letter to the child about how the book works.
I married a man who had an 11 year old son when I moved in, he was very excepting of me-but there arose many subjects over the course of the time living with him that I was not sure how to approach and my husband was not approaching and when he did he was yelling. I used facebook as my journal I wrote to him in the email area and told him we would not talk about it just write, it worked and I learned a lot of his fears,
and what he was doing and not doing.
Well happy posting
Today's letter can be to your teenager or tween and if they are still small you can write to them about what they will be as a tween or teenager
You may want to include in your letter to your tween or teenager the following:
*Promise yourself to be strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind
*To be just an entusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
*To give so much time to the improvement of yourself and limit criticizing others
Some great websites
www.helpmyteen.com
www.allaboutyou.com
www.theantidrug.com
www.talkingwithkids.org
www.kidshealth.org
www.byparents-forparents.com
www.familiesaretalking.org
www.iparenting.com
Have fun and remember to share them with me.
Day 7-MIA
Day 8
So I got behind on my days and I will catch up but we had a snow storm here and I lost my electric for 4 days. This is another post all together. We stayed at the house until Sunday night when we went to my mother in laws for just the night and I found this taped on her fridge. I think it lends its self perfectly to our letter and journal writing thoughts
"Dear Ann Landers: I had a marvelous mother who loved, sacrificed for and helped me in every way she could. All my years of growing up, through college and eventually marriage, my mother was at my side. When I needed help with my little ones she was right there for me.
Today we buried that wonderful women. Can you imagine how I felt when I returned from the services and found this poem?
The times is now
"IF you are ever going to love me,
Love me now, while I can know,
The sweet and tender feelings
Which from true affections flow.
Love me now while I am living.
Do not wait until I'm gone
And then have it chiseled in marble,
Sweet words on ice-cold stone.
If you have tender thoughts of me
Please tekll me now.
If you wait until I am sleeping
Never to awaken
There will be death between us
And I wont' hear you then.
So if you love me, even a little bit,
Let me know it while I am living
So I can know and treasure it."
"Now she is gone and I am sick with guilt because I never told her what she meant to me. Worse yet, I didn't treat her as she deserved to be treated.
I found time for everyone and everything, but I never made time to visit Mom to give her pleasure. The time we spent together was when I needed her. Never once was she too busy to come help out.
When I called Mom on the phone, our conversations were brief and hurried. I feel ashamed when I think of the times I cut her short with, "Sorry, I have to run." I remember, too, the times I could have included her and didn't.
Our children loved "Grandma" from the time they were babies. They often turned to her rather than to me for counsel and comfort. She understood them. I realize now I was too critical, too short-tempered, too stinkgy with praise. My goals for them were unrealistic. Grandma gave them unconditional love.
The world is filled with daughters like me or sons. I hope many of them will see this column ( or post) and profit from it. For me it is too late. and I am sick with regrets. I'm signing my letter Guilty and heartbroken.
Dear Guilty and Heartbroken:
here is your letter- On Mother's day. I was deeply moved by it and am sure others will be, too Bless you for sharing.
Well, that's a lot to think about when You decide to write to someone today. or call.
Day 9
well many of you won't want to do today's journal and post so if not you can skip it. It is something I always need to do, and find it theraputic.
My father died suddenly March 10th 2003. He had retired at 53 and had purchased land and build a house with my step-mother in Myrtle Beach. I don't really like to remember his death date, although, I remember the call vividly~ and the shock and sadness that followed. His birthday was in April and I like to remember that. My sister and stepmother are on facebook and they always post pictures of him in March and that is there way of thinking of him and missing him, so it reminded me the day was coming up. So I have decided to tell you all that writing to someone who has passed can be very helpful. I wrote my father a sorry letter and put it in his casket when he died. (did I think he would sit up in the dark and read it, no but the afterlife if still so unknown- for those of you who even believe in that)
so the challenge of the day is to write a letter to someone who has passed and tell them all the things you forgot or couldn't and I will post one of the letters I have written to my dad since he has passed.
Day 10
So this is a book I read to my class when we start to discuss letter writing. I have a lot of different ones but this one is so funny ~ I thought I would share one of the letters today as my post.
Today You can write a funny letter to a child, husband or friend. You can hide it in there book bag or lunch bag. You can pretend the dog or cat wrote it.
The dog writes a letter to his master when he is put in obedience school.
The dog's name is Ike
" Dear Mrs. LaRue,
How could you do this to me?
This is PRISON, not a school! You should see the other dogs, they are BAD DOGS, Mrs.Larue!
I do not fit in. Even the journey here was a horror. I am very unhappy and many need something to chew on when I get home. Please come right away!
Sincerely,
Ike"
The dog is only gone about a week and he writes about a dozen letters.
Day 11
Some of you may of heard of a movie called Fireproof it was a christian story about a husband and wife with no children and this fascination with porn and there taking each other for granted. They promoted a book called the Love Dare and I had many problems in my marriage at the time decided to buy the book and take the Dare. I loved the book and purchased a leather copy for myself and a paperback for my husband. I used it as therapy and it helped and restored our marriage for a few months until we reached the next hurtle, and this one was larger so we had to seek counseling outside of the book but I want to share two of the things the book asks you to do with you. One of course is a letter ...
"" Many times when a marriage is in crisis, the spouse who is trying to make things work will go to the other, declaring in no uncertain terms that no matter what has happened in the past. But not wanting to hear this yet, the other spouse holds their position. They still want out. They don't see the marriage lasting long-term. Nor do they even want it anymore."
the challenge from the love dare which is your Day 11 challenge is...
SPEND TIME IN THINKING OR IN PRAYER, THEN WRITE A LETTER OF COMMITMENT
AND RESOLVE TO YOUR SPOUSE. INCLUDE WHY YOU ARE COMMITTING TO THIS MARRIAGE UNTIL DEATH, AND THAT YOU HAVE PURPOSED TO LOVE THEM NO MATTER WHAT. LEAVE IT IN A PLACE THAT YOUR MATE WILL FIND IT.
(I am not condoning staying with a verbal or physical abuser)
What were some of the hesitations you had writing this letter? How do you expect your spouse to respond to it? What did the process teach you about yourself???
The second thing that I want to share with you from the book is not a letter but...
ASK YOURSELF WHAT YOUR MATE WOULD WANT IF IT WAS OBTAINABLE. COMMIT THIS TO THOUGHT OR PRAYER, AND START MAPPING OUT A PLAN FOR MEETING SOME ( IF NOT ALL) OF THEIR DESIRES, TO WHATEVER LEVEL YOU POSSIBLY CAN.
What has made your resistant to fulfilling your mate's desires in the past? How would it change your relationship if they knew their dreams were a priority to you? What desires are you attempting to meet?
I secretly want to go back to school for my masters, my husband cannot afford this and neither can I he also thinks it is silly for me to do this at 41 and say I won't ever even use it, but I want it for me.
I have to think what he wants. He is a beekeeper on the side and always wants to go to a out of town meeting to a bee conference and I know it means a lot to him, so this year I said, "you should sign up." and he did.
Day 12
Well, it's only a few more days and the 14 day journaling and letter writing "tutorial" will be over.
I am reading a book entitled Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah it's about two teens in the seventies and eighties, and the friendship between 2 women. I find it interesting for many levels, one because of the eighties aspect and 2 because I have many friends who come to my parties, and speak to me on facebook or in person but not any long term life friends. I had a friend from college that was in my wedding that I had known for 13 plus years, we had a falling out and I choose not to include her in my life, sometimes I feel like that may not have been the right decision, and yes, I could pick up the phone and call her or better yet get out some nice stationary and write her a letter but I think about it... and decide no. I do envy some who have long life best friends that don't judge them or give them unsolicited advice. I found a part of the book with a letter in it that I wanted to share here. The reason why I am sharing it is not only because it is a letter but because I have a grandmother who has played a huge role in my life and means so much to me, I lived with her more than my own mother and I was touched by this letter...
"There were things she was supposed to do now, she knew that. She and Gran had talked about this, done this to prepare. Tully knew though, that no words could have really prepared her for this.
She went over to Gran's nightstand, where a pretty rosewood box sat beneath the photo of Granpa and alongside the battalion of medications. She lifted the lid, feeling vaguely like a thief, but Gran expected this of her. When I go home , Gran always said,"I'll leave you something int he box grandpa bought me.
Inside, laying atop the cluster of inexpensive jewelry that Tully could rarely remember her Grandmother wearing, was a folded piece of pink paper with Tully's name written on it.
Slowly, she reached out, took the letter, and opened it.
My dearest Tully~
I am so sorry. I know how afraid you are of being alone, of being left behind, but God has his plan for all of us. I would have stayed with you longer if I could have. Your grandfather and I will always be watching out for you from Heaven. You will never be alone if you believe in that.
You were the greatest joy of my life. Love, Gran
Were.
Gran was gone."
So I encourage you to hide a note some where for your spouse, child , friend or parents today.
Day 13
So two days left of my series of letter writing
here is a letter I wrote to my 4 year old son, for him to find some day regardless if I am young or old.
Dear Aiden,
I hope I have been a good mother, and not a disappointment to you. I am sure I angered you or embaressed you once or twice.
I think of how growing up I envied other families that were not divorced. I hope I am able to give you a feeling of family and home regardless of what happens to or in our family.
I want you to know how hard I worked to advocate for services for speech and O.T for you. Some of my family thought I was crazy and said, He's fine it will come don't rush it. I was not trying to rush your delays I was trying to give you the best jump on help I knew how. I struggled silently with A.D.D and a learning disability growing up and although, it's no one's fault it cost me things I wanted to be or do.
I read to you when you were growing in my "tummy" and I hope I have instilled in you a love of reading as my grandmother , your Nan instilled in me. I have a love of literature and I believe you do too.
When you don't listen or make me angry I do scold you and sometimes too firmly, but I don't want you to be disrespectful to teachers, women or people and I don't want you to be rude or spoiled.
You make my heart melt now and I bet you will continue to do that for years to come. I find you so handsome. I love the conversations we have about worms, love, life and being a 'sushi chef". You had sushi with me one day recently and you said," look what he does with that rice, and then he turns it into sushi." it's magic- I want to be a sushi chef when I get big. Aiden you can be anything you want.
My hopes for you are to go to college if that is what you wish, and I hope you have a good balance of studying and fun. So many men in there 40's are still smoking pot and that is a waste of money and brain cells. I DO NOT want that life for you.
If I did when you are still young I know it could be difficult and if I could stay longer I would.
I lost my dad papa Steve when I was 35 and not married yet. It was sudden and I did not get to tell him all that I wanted he was only 52. If you think you had so much to tell me if I go early, You can talk to me, I am sure I will be listening. Please keep my memory alive and in your heart.
I hope our relationship although, it will change over the years stays strong and that you feel you can call and want to call me once a week. I know women in my neighborhood who's son's live nearby and they never visit and rarely call, this makes me so sad.
I leave you now but know I love and loved you deeply.
Day 14
Almost all of us would like to change some aspect of our lives. Body image is a huge thing most people want to change about there lives. Some people want to change there careers or they want to get married or pregnant.
Many of us don't like certain traits about ourselves. Some people don't like how shy they are or how they are afraid of any kind of confrontation like Rex from toystory. Write a letter to yourself about something you want to change or something you don't like about yourself. A trait you want to stop or wish you were better at. Maybe you react too quickly to something and say harsh words maybe you don't stick up for yourself and let people step all over you. No matter what you do write yourself a letter telling yourself you will take some steps and try to actively stop the negative behavior. Maybe you like your life to be private but you talk about other people and share there private life with others without there permission. Think about one or two things you would like to change. It's hard to change but maybe reading a letter from time to time about what you want to stop doing will help you. Leave the letter in your sock drawer and maybe or clothes drawer. An author who has spoken about changing your life is Marianne Williamson- One of her books is The gift of change - spirtual guidance for a radically new life.
One Quote she has that I like is...
"to enter the mystery of timelessness is to enter the sanctuary of the here, where we are given a chance at every moment to begin out lives again. Not one of us is perfect, and sorrows press upon us all. But the universe is a merciful one, in which unlimited opportunities for new beginnings are built into the very essence of things."
So start to heal your self and write yourself a letter you can even add something you LOVE about yourself too.
Happy letter writing and reading
Conclusion
If you started reading the book Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah or if you had already read it, did you enjoy the letters from Kate and Tully in the back of the book well, her blog has even more. I thought that it was the perfect culminating project to have you got to www.KristinHannah.com search around and then you will see at the top the word BLOG there when you click on it you can see the rest of Kate and Tully's Letters. If you don't live in the dark ages like me you can even go to her pink ipod icon and go to the itunes store and get all the 80's songs from the book.
Enjoy the reading and writing of letters don't let it become a dying art form.
All of the above is copyrighted by Wasabi Mommy 2010
