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I am thrilled to share with you the series of guest posts appearing here in the first weeks of June, as I take a little extra time to settle in and soak up my family and the new life among us. "Soulful Mothering" is a series of written words, photographs, craft projects and thoughts on mothering from some of my favorite ladies on the web. I'm so grateful to each of them for sharing their time with me, and their hearts and words in this space. I have been inspired by the gifts they've shared, and I'm sure you will too. Enjoy!
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Love Notes by Maya Donenfeld
I've always tucked little love notes into pockets, lunchboxes, and under pillows. I usually do it on a whim or for a special occasions, but this year my daughter requested one at lunch time regularly. Her meal didn't feel complete without unfolding a sweet little something. So it became a part of my morning ritual. Right after packing lunches, I would draw a little picture, and as her reading skills improved a few words were included, too. My husband does the dishes each night. While cleaning out her lunch box, he'd set aside the daily note. He said he couldn't put these little bits of love into the recycling bin. We put a jar on the counter, and now the notes live in there. If we're running late, I may "recycle" one. My daughter loves this... it's like reading a favorite story over and over again. She doesn't tire of them.
"Is it the cat one today, mama?"
"You'll see!" I say.
Her big brother, who claims to be far too old for lunch box notes, even gets in on the action as a surprise guest note-maker now and then.
These are not fancy, nor did they take a lot of effort, but the love that went into them is deeply felt. I've experienced this over and over again in my mothering. Love doesn't have to be fancy or complicated, in fact it's appreciated all the more when it's simple and straightforward. A jar of love sits on our counter... getting fuller by the day.
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Maya Donenfeld lives in rural New York with her husband and two children. Every day she marvels at the beauty outside here back door and finds time to make something inspired by nature and/or rescued materials. Her blog, maya*made, chronicles it all with plenty of tutorials and recipes to get you making, too! She is currently hard at work on her first book, which will be published by Wiley Craft in the spring of 2012.
