"I've been letting my mind wonder at night. My thoughts should have a curfew." Am Kidd

Friday, March 4, 2011

A treasure in the attic

(Image Source: Weheartit.com)
Days are flying by, scattering all around like multi-colored glass beads slipping off a string.  I hurry about and try to catch them but I like the sound they make, so I stop a while just to hear them fall...


March has arrived. We are bracing ourselves to face it's typical unpredictable character. Anything can happen in March. Mild days...one last Winter storm (hopefully not!)

My  daughter and I have been busy trying to get the house ready for Spring. We've made numerous trips to the local charity shop, this time not to shop but to donate :0) It was during one of the "sorting through" that she found something she had written while at the University.  A free style exercise for her English class.  They were asked to write about anything, non-stop for five minutes without paying attention to grammar or spelling. She handed me the paper and with the typical carefree spirit of the very young said: "Not sure if you'd like to keep this." This is what she wrote:


"Mom, I see you in the shaded garden holding a glass of white wine. You’re wearing a t-shirt and sweat pants but your hair and makeup are immaculate and flawless. I see your face genuinely light up as you stand to hug and kiss me.

Under the afternoon’s dying sun I see your hair turn different colors: brown, caramel, amber. I feel the love as you embrace me and your hair smells like a blend of vanilla and roses. You smile as you ask me to sit on the swing with you so we can talk. As you go on about the squirrels and the beautiful birds you’ve come across today, I see so much of myself in your face!

Your olive skin and wide brown eyes, your curly hair gracefully touching your shoulders. I see a young child hidden inside a woman’s body. How could it be that at your age you still love and get so thrilled about fairies, dolls, and critters so much? We are so different in this sense, and yet, it is something I’ll never forget about you. I think this is precisely why you were never just my mother when I was a child, you were my best friend.

As we sit here on this beautiful golden Autumn afternoon I still see my best friend in the whole entire world, and I smile as you ramble on telling me about the most incredible fairy door you’ve just bought for the garden…"

Do I want to keep it?! Only a girl who never had a child could ask that question :0)  It's funny how sometimes we go through the motions, we follow routines which, while they make us feel anchored, could become too familiar, almost boring. One longs for a "shaking" some excitement, some awakening from the everyday slumber. Well, I'm awake now :0) It's touching to know that in spite of the routine and noneventful sailing, I was "interesting enough" to be the subject in my daughter's English lesson.

There was a lot of old, dusty, useless things in our attic, but amidst the mess and disarray I found a treasure I'll cherish forever.

Before I go, I want to thank those who left understanding and supportive comments on my last Post. Nice to know I'm not alone in this experience :0)

Hugs and wishes for a fabulous weekend.  Be happy! 

19 comments:

  1. Hi Alina :) ! I'm so touched by your daughters writings! This letter is full of pure love! It's a real treasure!
    Have a nice weekend!

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  2. Dearest Alina,
    While reading your daughters poignantly heartfelt words, I felt as though I was reading a the beginning of a novel I would soon not want to put down. I was deeply touched at how she saw you in those moments ... how well she articulated her love for you through words. Indeed, this composition is treasure ... one you hold to heart always.

    I too have been spring cleaning!! Does it not feel good to bring boxes of decluttering for someone else?? I feel so lightened during this process!! :)))

    Wishing you a bright and blissful weekend!

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  3. Wow..that was fabulous...heart-touching..beautiful and so magical to read!!a most treasured item...to read those words..inspiring!! She is a wonderful writer too!! yay..thanks for sharing this powerful and beautiful post!
    HUgs
    Happy wkd!
    Kiki

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  4. Oh that's nice. Our children give us diamonds without realising. We mums are rich indeed. xx

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  5. Your daughters writing made me cry, thank heavens she didnt throw it out. It is a beautiful tribute to a much loved Mother.

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  6. Oh my, Alina...unexpected tears are rolling down my cheeks as I read this...this is one of the most beautiful things I have read in a long while...treasure these beautifully written words of a daughter's love x

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  7. Alina~ I am so happy you stopped by to visit! I have become lost in your beautiful ~fairyland~... This is such a lovely place. I left a little note for you in my comments section. Love and Happy Sunday. ~Mandy

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  8. how beautiful, so wonderfully written.....thank you for sharing. hugs xx

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  9. ¡ Gracias amiga mia por tus palabras y por dejar un comentario en el apartamento en Paris ! Siempre encuentro belleza en el tuyo.

    Un beso desde España :-))

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  10. Such lovely words your daughter has written...something to be cherished for sure!

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  11. Simply Beautiful sweet friend...your daughter's writing gives me goosebumps. Not only the fact that she felt these amazing things about her mother, but the fact that you raised a child who could see the MAGIC in an everyday moment, who could see the colors changing in your hair & remember the smells & nuiances of that minute in time & who could be a daughter & yet be wise enough to see the child within you.
    You are so blessed my friend...truly a wonderous gift!
    Big Hugs,
    Susie

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  12. I just made a trip to the thrift shop too but didn't find anything interesting while I was cleaning out.

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  13. Dear Alina,
    How absolutely special to see yourself captured in your daughter's eyes, mind, and onto paper. There is a beautiful bond between mother and daughter. Thank you for sharing this.
    I wish for you a happy March...onward to Spring!
    xoxo
    Sandra

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  14. Alina, waht a wonderful, precious treasure to have. Your daughter has a beautiful way with words & her love for you seeps out of every one. x I smiled when you wrote that she asked if you would want to keep it, mothers love, only ever truly deeply understood by other mothers x x

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  15. What a wonderful surprise and gift Alina. To have your daughter see you in such a loving light.

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  16. Alina, there is a lot to be said for clearing out the attic - what a find! This is a beautifully written and descriptive tribute to you by your daughter. She has obviously inherited your very special way with words and expressing those inner most feelings. To be cherished!

    Jeanne
    x

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  17. Alina,

    You are blessed to have raised such a beautifully inspired daughter! And you are right only a woman who has not had children would ask if you want to keep this ;0)

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  18. Oh.how.beauuuutiful!!!

    Alina, this is how I see you, too. I seem to keep missing your posts.=( I'm so very sorry about that. Now, however, I'm here and reading along and catching up and feeling like I'm seeing into you more. I love what I see, dear magic heart. Do you remember when we first found each others' blogs? We bonded over the reflections in mud puddles on a dirt road in spring.=D Life IS so magic - even when it's mundane - there's something, somewhere that's "magic"....even the pain is part of it, too. (what an open ended statement, though. It's too big to put into words.)

    Love you dearie! So nice to know there's someone else out there who feels "it".=]

    Katy xo

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Albert Schweitzer said "In everyone's life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit" I thank you all!