J doesn’t want to go. Though she usually looks forward to sleepovers with her grandma, this time she clings hard to my legs and looks longingly into my eyes.
“I want to stay here with you,” she says.
“Come here for a minute,” I say, bringing her back into the house as her sisters and grandma load into the car. I rip a small corner from a piece of paper, draw on it a bubbly floating heart and write the simple message I love you inside because sometimes the simplest are the truest. I hold the words right up in front of her face, fold the paper and place it in the palm of her hand.
“When you feel sad, or miss Mama, just squeeze it extra tight. My love is right here with you even when I’m not.”
Her mouth turns up a bit at the corners as Gaga’s car pulls away from the curb, and she waves goodbye with a closed little fist.
The next afternoon, J runs in the door smiling, hugs me around the waist and opens her hand. Tenderly she unwraps the small square, and the paper is visibly soft from her palm, nearly tearing at the creases.
“I still have it, Mama,” she says.
And it’s the love I need, too. The one that continues beating even when it feels far away. The one I keep reading to remind me it’s true. Unfolding and folding again until it’s truly mine.
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Joining this morning with the Five Minute Friday community at Lisa-Jo‘s where we write for five minutes, refrain from extreme editing and encourage one another’s offerings of free flowing words. Join us? Today’s prompt: HERE. And I’m glad you are — here, that is.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
Ahhh, like the story of the Kissing Hand! The love that continues beating, even when it feels far away…How wise of you (in that flash!) to put it on paper for J! The Very thing to sound out the rhythms of a beating heart to that sweet girl! Something small to hold in her hand has always been the way of J! xxoo!
Ma, exactly like the Kissing Hand! That’s actually what inspired me to do it! And you are right…something small to hold in her hand is so her way. I love that you know that about her.
Tears. Love. Oh, Ashley…how you open my heart.
Thank you for understanding my heart, dear friend.
Such a sweet tender mommy moment! I couldn’t help but smile as I read this today
I’m so glad you visited today and thankful this brought you some joy.
So lovely. You have such a way with the sweet moments of life, Ashley!
Always so grateful for your presence here, Luanne. Thank you for your words.
Girl… I always need waterproof mascara when I read your stuff… cuts straight to the heart! Love this… such a great Mama you are!
What an encourager you are, Karrilee. So happy to see you!
This is such a precious story – you need to put this in her scrapbook or baby book or whatever – She will treasure this when she is older and off to college :) Have a wonderful weekend!
I’ve got some work to do on those baby books. :) Thanks, Kathleen!
sweet, sweet :) soothing reminder of the “hereness” of God’s love!
I like that, Liz — the “hereness” of his love.
I love these stories of your girls. She is so precious and I love how each of their little personalities is so distinct. She entertained us and I kept thinking how my daughter would love to play with her. I bet your mama heart just bursts wide open daily.
My girls are definitely such different little beings. :) What fun to imagine mine and yours playing together. Someday, friend…I pray — someday.
What a tender Tender of your little one’s heart! I am, ever, a grateful recipient of your precious sharing! What a sweet one today :D
Thank you, thank you. My J is such a tender one, that’s for sure.
I love your creative illustration of “Love” that J could carry with her in your absence!
I may very well be using that one again. :)
Beautiful. Thank you.
Thank you for being here, Abbey.
So touching… Makes me think of my mom’s handwriting, so different from my own. And I love your take on rereading – folding and unfolding the word – until you own it…or, I should say, it owns you :)
How great that this brought you to thoughts of your mama’s writing. There is something so utterly powerful in the uniqueness of that script across a page.
“Until…it owns you.” Love that.
Your heart spills open wide here, again and again, and I treasure these invitations into these moments with you, with your girls with the equally beautiful hearts. You make me sigh in my soul and smile in my heart, every time, dear friend. Every time.
Sigh in my soul, smile in my heart…what a gift. Thank you, Amber.
Really like this.
Thank you.
this. now *this* is something to which we can all relate.
linking arms and grasping tight; unfolding in the dark, though we are.
thank you, lovely Ashley.
I appreciate you, Kelli, and the ways you reach right into the heart.
Ashley- wow, the tangible meets the intangible. You remind us that sometimes we need both and God has given us both- HIS Word, his tangible reminder, with his Spirit that reminds our spirit…very touching. Your words and story here speak to what an amazing mom — and writer mom — you are!
Cornelia, I love that — the tangible meets the intangible. That is so it…the word alongside the spirit that reminds. Thank you so much for that, my friend. So happy I get to see you again soon.
I love your writing even more after having been in your home and breaking bread (french toast?) with your beautiful little family, Ash.
What a huge compliment, dear friend. Can’t believe my good fortune to be with you twice in a month…thankful.