Loved Robin's post yesterday on writing historical fiction and want to second her recommendation on Stan Williams' book The Moral Premise. Excellent resource for writers, and it would make a wonderful gift for a writer as well.
I'm an intuitive writer, yet am working to learn more about story structure and how to tell a story better. I'm still not what you would call a "plotter," but I'm definitely moving in that direction while leaving A LOT of room for spontaneity and surprises along the way. Those "serendipities"––those aha moments in writing (which can still happen even if you plot)––are real joys!
Joe was off work yesterday for MLK Day and I promise you, he turned into Project Man! Which would normally be fabulous! I'd love it! But...say it with me, "I'm on d-e-a-d-l-i-n-e!" Ack!
Anyway, I've had some things I've wanted him to hang for a while now (he's so good at measuring and he's so exacting, it's great!) and yesterday turned out to be "the day." Not about to complain, I took a few minutes and lined up the projects...then went back to writing. He's so sweet!
Here's something that Mom gave me years ago that I've had sitting in my closet, waiting to be hung, since we moved into this house in May 2010...
I know I read this back in June of '95 in Colorado when Mom first gave it to me and that I appreciated it then, but that was over sixteen years ago. And oh, what a treasure this was to find again yesterday. I shed some tears still missing her, of course. But there were also tears of gratitude wrapped up in the eternal hope and certainty of seeing her again. I tell ya, finding this little picture felt like one of those heavenly hugs I've mentioned here before. Thank you, Lord!
So my plea? Write on the backsides and bottoms of pictures and gifts you give to your children, your friends and family. Date them too. We have no idea what a treasure those words will be to them in the days ahead. I'm sure that when Mom wrote this, she didn't stop to think about how I would happen across this again once she was gone. Then again, maybe she did. : )
So do you already write on backsides and bottoms? If you do, good for you!
And for the record... Mom, if mothers were flowers, I would've picked you too.
Tammy
Tam! I was very emotional when I read your Mum's message . What a beautiful and sensitive thing thing for her to do. It just goes to show how much she thought of you, by that one action. This is something you will have close to your heart for ever. What a special Mum she was (is) and what a special person you are. That truly reflects in your writing,dear lady. No wonder, we all love your(and to quote you) "spontaneity."
ReplyDeleteHang on to those HEAVENLY HUGS!!!
What a gem you have in Joe. You are both very blessed to have each other!
I have three cards already written to my two daughters and my son. Perhaps instead of waiting, I should give them now and leave my OTHER messages for later.
Thank you for sharing something so personal and precious to YOU, with US, Tam!
Blessings to you and your Family.
Rosie
Wow Tammy, what a wonderful gift you were given!! Thank you for the reminder to write on our backsides and bottoms...we'll never know how much those messages will be cherished later.
ReplyDeleteI try to leave a note in Erik's lunch box on occasion (and it's amazing how God works it so that it ends up that on THAT DAY, he needs to hear what is written)...maybe I should surprise him and the rest of my family more often.
Praying for you as you work towards your deadline! :-)
A very beautiful post...so sweet.
ReplyDeleteTammy we are so blessed to have the mothers we had. God I believe, "hand picked " them for us!
Such a treasure.
I have a Mother's day card that my mom sent me years ago and in it she wrote how proud she was of me being not only a wonderful daughter, but a wonderful wife and mother. I know that I was not the best daughter during my turbulent teen years, but she loved me unconditionally. She was an excellent role model for me to follow and I thank God that because of her love and prayers (father's too), I could become a daughter that they were proud of.
When I sometimes hear how others don't get along with their moms, I feel sad for them, because the mother/daughter relationship is so precious. And their should be no regrets if that mother passes before you. With me, thank God no regrets...only wishes that I could have one of her hugs and to hear her say again "It's gonna be alright Roni". Precious...
Love the post, Tammy. I found a Valentine's card from Jim not long ago (when I was moving my office) and though it brought tears, I'm with you--it was like a heavenly hug to read the words he'd written to me.
ReplyDeleteNow back to tapping out some words that will move me toward my own deadline. :)
@ Judy...how blessed we are to have had husbands that loved and cherished us. My husband always signed his cards and notes to me "Love Never Fails". It used to bring a tear everytime I heard or saw that phrase. But now it brings a smile for all the fond memories. Wishing you many "smiles" too.
ReplyDeleteNow! the both of you Judy AND Tammy get with it with those deadlines! :-)
What a precious heavenly hug, Tammy! I'm sure you'll treasure that picture now even more. And you're right, we should take every opportunity to fill up anything we can with reminders of how much we love our family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI lost my mom fifteen years ago, but a few years back, I found a video tape of my son's baby shower that I'd forgotten my friends had made. I popped it in and was delighted to see my mother. Even better was something on it I'd forgotten they'd had her do. She read a letter to all those gathered that she'd written to me, mother to mother.
Since I lost her when my children were so young, not getting to talk to her mother to mother was one of the hardest things. That tape blessed me to pieces.
Ladies, your comments and sharing have blessed ME to pieces! Lorna, so glad to have you with us, lady. And wow on that video. A treasure indeed!
ReplyDeleteA common thread weaving its way through our words is that God is faithful. Faithful to give us what we need when we need it. Not a tear is shed––both happy and sad––but what he isn't aware. He sees, he knows, he's preparing a place for us! So appreciate the shared memories of loved ones.
And now, with partially frozen Diet DP at hand, I'm off to write. But I'll check in again a bit. Blessings and so glad we're on this journey together!
P.S. Judy, I'm going to email you later on your word count, woman. Mush, mush!
What a sweet post today, precious Tammy....That picture your Mom gave you is lovely, but oh my! Her handwritten note on the back is certainly a priceless treasure for you! Thank you for sharing this with us today--and I so agree with you about writing on "backsides and bottoms"--my precious Daddy actually influenced me on that (we used to tease him so much, because he wrote the date on EVERY piece of mail he received!). But now whenever I come across something with his or Mama's handwriting, it's so precious to me. In fact, I have numerous lighthouse-related newspaper/magazine clippings that Daddy saved for me over the years (he knew I LOVE lighthouses), and now to see his notes on those brings a smile. ~ Prayers for smooth writing (for you too sweet Judy!). Hugs, Patti Jo :)
ReplyDeleteThis just gave me goosebumps -- from your post to the comments. How easy it is to bless those we love if we just take a little time to act on our feelings. Thanks for this beautiful reminder.
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post. Love the message from your mom and how it was such a fresh blessing for you yesterday. I was amazed you would even share it with us. So honored to have that peek into something so precious.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
Thanks for being such great girlfriends, gals! And Linda, yes, it's personal, true... But I shared it with the hope that we'd all write little notes like this for loved ones coming behind us, leaving little pieces of ourselves for them, as it were.
ReplyDeleteI still think of that night as I was writing A Lasting Impression and was soooo struggling for the right words for Adelicia, when I recalled a letter she'd written to her sister in 1863. I flipped back through my digital files, found that letter, and her words fit PERFECTLY, without editing (God moment), into the dialogue between her and Claire. I'm immensely grateful Adelicia Acklen was an avid letter writer, and that her words remain to encourage us today.
So, let's get to writing on those backsides and bottoms! ; )
How sweet, Tammy!! Priceless, too!
ReplyDeleteI have been blessed when I am using a Bible of my (deceased) Mom's...to find she had marked a scripture that was meaning a lot to me ..right then. She always used a blue pen!
Love those "heavenly hugs"!!!