The very lovely and talented poet Robin (the Pensieve one) is our hostess for this week's Fun Monday. I had such faith in her that I signed up even before I knew the topic.Yeah, I'm wild and crazy that way.
Here is what she posed for us intrepid group of Fun Mondayers:
Please share words that inspire and motivate you--brief or bloviatory, silly or serious, from great world leaders to last night's Comedy Central ... from a Hallmark greeting card to your favorite book. Choose one, choose many; let the quotes stand on their own or tell where you first read or heard them and how they affected you.Hmmm, she said, hmmmm.
I puzzled over this for a few days before I could commit to putting finger to keyboard.
Until I remembered one of my most memorable phrases -- something I invented on the spot during a tough time during the Roo-girl's preschool days.
Let me warn you in advance: This will not be the lighthearted fare that others might offer you today.
Her father was dead, and she grieved alone. We had sold our "big" house and moved into much smaller digs. She was suddenly faced with all-day preschool, instead of the genteel three-hour version she had been used to.
Bedtime was a nightmare. She wouldn't leave my bedroom. Wanted to sleep in my bed. Cried endlessly and tantrumed frequently.
In short, she was completely normal after suffering a traumatic loss.
But I was at the end of my rope, for I too had suffered. A different suffer than she had, but I needed my space at night and I was frantic to resolve this.
Turning bedtime into a predictable and therefore comforting routine seemed like the only option.
And so it began.
Jammies.
Teeth.
Bedtime book (usually the same one -- night after night after night after night).
Snuggles and kisses.
And my final words as I tucked her in -- words that I invented in desperation but that she and I still use with each other to this day, 10 precious years later:
"I love you from the bottom of the ocean to the top of the sky ... and all the way around the world."
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45 comments:
just beautiful Janet, I love it. it is very precious.
Oh that is absolutely breath taking. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Thanks for Share - You are amazing and strong.
What a sweet story:o)
See Mr Lady sob. Sob, Mr Lady, sob. Janet, dude, you KILL me.
pass me the tissues Mr Lady...
Um?? Kleenex alert next time!! So beautiful and so precious.
Janet, that was so beautiful and sad. What an awful thing for you all to go through. I bet it made such a difference to little roo girl.
Or how the right words can suddenly just pop into your mind, in times of dispair! Very nice and very moving post, thanks!
And that is a whole lot of love.
Perfect. Things like that between a mother and child are simply perfect and so very special. Thank you for sharing.
Wow Janet....that's all I can say for now....WOW!!
that was so beautiful!!
xoxo
Janet, you made me cry! Your post is just a wow! I would use that line to my children if ever I get to be a Mom, hope you won't mind. ;)
Happy Monday!
Beautiful!
That is lovely. DeBoy likes to hear the one from "Guess How Much I Love You" - "I love you right up to the moon - and back." Somehow it doesn't seem enough, does it?
Janet in the woods
Very touching !
I'm getting a tad bit weepy here. Beautiful.
Wow Janet,
It's wonderful that you were able to bring some stability to her life at this horrific time for both of you...
That is so sweet it brought a tear to my eye.
Wow! That’s a powerful quote (especially in the circumstances) and methinks it’s one I’m going to remember for a long time. Thanks for sharing.
Hugs and blessings,
Beautiful. I also went back and read the rest of the story...
SO glad that the Roo girl has realized what her father's role was in your lives. And is appreciative of WH.
You are one strong woman - and I'm proud of you!
awwwwww
That is beautiful, Janet.
We had a similar saying when I was a little kid. I still remember it and say it to my own kids.
Those are the perfect words to bring calm and peace and reassurance to BOTH of you.
And they're unforgettable.
Bittersweet post (mostly sweet).
How lovely. I think that if someone said that to me before I went to sleep, I would sleep the sleep of children.
and how comforting that thought must have been to Roo-Girl.
can you 'dopt me? i love you too much for you "just" to be a bloggy friend.
Well, that was touching and sweet and inspiring all at the same time. And real.
Lucky little girl to have such a mom who knew what she needed to get through such a time of loss and confusion. I'm sure she understood how big that love was and would continue to be.
What a beautful post. As a daughter who lost my mom when I was 5, I would have loved to have heard something like that. My dad did not have such a way with words.
You? Inspire me. I think that's my favorite of all of your posts that I've read so far.
(Also, Moo Baa La La La is the best book EVAH!)
Very beautiful and deep!
That made me remember a text my oldest sent me here while back when he knew I was having a bad day.
A whole spoon, all the way to the moon, back to town, and that's how much much I love you!
I think the words that come from the heart are the best ones.
Wow!
I have no words.
Talk about powerful.
Thanks for sharing this was probably the most truthful quote of all.
That is absolutely beautiful in it's pure simplicity.
And you still use it today. I think that may be the sweetest part. That after all that you've been through, you have something precious from that time.
Jennifer
Very sweet and beautiful.
Not knowing the background, I clicked on the link - it so touched my heart. Even though you made up the quote, no one could have done it better. Very beautiful and precious to you both.
Add me to the teary eyed list. And now I'm off to click the link and get the rest of the story.
I'm a little verklempt!
Tissue!! Where is my tissue?!
That bedtime routine sounds just like the one I have with my 3 boy minus the lovely inspirational made up by you quote. I say the bland in comparison " I love you, sweet dreams, goodnight."
I think I want to read it one more time and then go to bed!
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwww... blessings.
That is so wonderful. How great you had each other to get through such a tough time.
Ooof. My heart.
Beautiful. That's it...just beautiful!
Awwwww. I used to tell my kids I loved 'em all the way around the world a million times but I like yours better. :)
Sorry it took me so long to get here. I am delighted that I did.
Just beautiful.
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