A Mother’s Journal

Ladies, have you thought about leaving a legacy for your children? May I suggest a journal that you’ve hand written. I came across this idea a few years ago and I’ve been recording things about my life for awhile now. I think it’ll be treasured by my girls when I gift it to them.  Why not start yours today?  Don’t worry about picking one up, create your own.

Here are a few questions you can answer to get you started:

– what was a fad when you were in school?

– what is one special Christmas celebration you recall?

– who was you favorite teacher and why?

– what is a sound that reminds you of your childhood?

– did you ever go camping with your family? If so, describe one trip?

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Write Your Mom a Note Today

It is so important to express gratitude to your mother (or mother in law or a woman of influence).  If your relationship with your mom is a little turbulent now, it’s vital you get the pen out right away.  As I was sorting through my moms belongings, I came across a few notes that I had written to her over the years. They were notes that expressed the gratitude I was feeling towards her.  For example, here are the words I wrote during a very difficult time in her life and on her 71 birthday:

Hi Mom,

This year is a year of new beginnings for you. Thanks for all the sacrificesyou made for all of us throughout your life. You endured a lot of hardship when we were young in order to keep our family together. I wish you happiness like you have not had before in all your years. Love you, Linda

I found this note, and others like it, in her top dresser drawer. I like to think they brought her comfort over and over again.  Ladies please, write your mom a note today.  I can’t think of a richer gift really.

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What You Hear and Say About Others

You know ladies, I have been thinking about my relationship with my mother. I am very happy for the gift of her life and the years that I had with her. I wanted to write about something that has been troubling my mind lately but could not seem to put it down eloquently.  I decided just to be transparent and share part of my journal entry June 15, 2010.

The more I think about mom and the more I have reviewed her personal things and her affairs, I realize that many negative things I thought about her were untrue. When I try to determine where these opinions/beliefs came from, I realize they were things that people in my family told me – going back to my childhood years.  I really wish my relationship with mom could have began on a clean slate. I am very saddened to now know that some of my notions about her originated by the untruths of others – wrong perceptions.  My relationship with her could have been far richer – for both of us.  I am going to try very hard to never influence someone’s opinion of another by my comments. I will strive to allow relationships to grow organically. I hope to never poison something that could otherwise be more beautiful.

Ladies, I hope you will contemplate my words and strive for the same. Please guard your mind with regards to what people are saying about others and don’t contribute negative things. Linda

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Peace Keeper

You know ladies, I can not stress enough how important it is for us to be peace keepers.  Please know this is an area that I often do not do so well in, but I do strive to keep harmony in my home.  I know of so many women who have challenges within their family and extended family who are not willing to forgive.  For me, life is so much better if I just let off and move on.  I am referring to relationships within your family that need to be mended –  caused by common misunderstandings.  Life is so much better for everyone when there is reconciliation rather than bitterness.  It is so much nicer and healthier to live in peace.  With everyday misunderstandings/miscommunications  the issue will most likely be resolved sometime, so why not just make it right – now. I was recently reminded of how important it is for me to overlook or resolve issues with my daughters. The other day we were just sitting around chatting and I realized that I am truly blessed by their presence. A calm relationship comes from the love we have for each other and the desire to keep peace.   Why not initiate healing today?

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