...to write some simple words to someone you love...
...to place inside their lunchbox so that later in the day...
...your child will read what you wrote in that moment you thought you didn't have...
...on that morning you were crazy busy like always.
When my children were small I bet I wrote 100 notes and put them in their lunchboxes. And sometimes when they would come home from school they would remember to tell me they got the note...but mostly I just wrote it and I never had the pleasure of seeing their faces when they read them.
Yesterday morning I was driving our youngest Granddaughter to pre-school and she was quite busy in the backseat sifting through her backpack and chattering away about nothing and everything.
She suddenly let out a high-pitched scream of excitement.
Alarmed, I immediately looked into the rear view mirror and there she was holding a little piece of paper.
"Morgan, are you OK? Are you hurt?" I said.
Our eyes met in the rear view mirror and this beautiful, little girl was absolutely glowing in excitement. She had the most amazed smile on her face.
"Oh, Grandma," she breathed, "I have a note in my lunchbox." Her eyes never left the little slip of paper held carefully like a treasure in her hand.
"Oh Mo, how neat!" I replied, "Do you want me to read it to you?"
"Grandma, I can read it!" she said with great reverence in her voice. Her lips moved and moved and finally she 'read', "Morgan, I love you! Mommy." And then she held that little slip of paper to her heart for a brief second.
Yea.
It doesn't sound like much does it? It doesn't seem that finding those random seconds in those last minutes before they head off to school matters, does it? Or that taking the extra few seconds to send them off with a hug and a smile can really make a difference.
But yesterday I saw what happens in the AFTER of those few seconds.
And it is totally worth it.
While you may never get to see their face when they open that note you penned, I was lucky enough to see how one little girl reacted. I suspect all children react pretty much the same.
And it humbled me.
I am amazed how just a few seconds can define a day.
And how it is always and forever totally worth it.
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52 comments:
I used to do that with my great-nephew and my husband. This was a beautiful post about a moment I too never actually saw.
And you know how sometimes you write a blog post and you never really know the effect on the reader? Well, this reader is all smiles right now. This was a very precious post. Thank you for reminding us that it is in this small gestures that our love really shines!
Excellent! When your heart prompts you to do something, it knows what it's doing, even if your overworked brain pooh-poohs it. I'm going to remember this.
Jenny, this post touched my heart. I used to leave notes in Jordan's book bag too. Being a boy, he never said anything.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful moment with your granddaughter. La
What a great post! How lucky you are to have shared that moment with her.
Cathy
Thank you for sharing the after...I don't do lunch box notes anymore - I do a different kind of note (on request from L and H) but now I am thinking perhaps I should do both...
5th sister's comment is right on...this is why I read your blog...because it is like finding a note in my lunchbox! When my husband and I go on separate trips we always hide a note somewhere in the luggage or house...that is the first thing I search for when I unpack!
My Daughter writes those notes every day! She told me that she only missed ONE day writing the note and Alex told her that she didn't have a note that day!
The little things mean a lot!
Enjoy your day! HUGS!
That is very special! How wonderful that you got to witness this with your granddaughter!
A precious Grandmama memory!
One of those 'Little Things' that make 'Great Memories'...for all!
This is just the sweetest. I almost feel like I go the note too. :)
Your family rocks my socks.
I used to do this for my girls...and they loved it as well.
Jenny Dear,
You are too cool. Way to go Grandma!
Love ya'
Meri
Isn't it neat to experience a child's joy?~Ames
Isn't it neat to experience a child's joy?~Ames
Beautiful post Jenny. I will have to remember to write little notes when my daughter reaches that stage. How wonderful that you got to witness the excitement and happiness of your granddaughter reading one of those little notes.
Even if you didn't see your children's reaction, you obviously wrote a love note on your daughter's heart since she is continuing it with her children.
I cried. Tears of love. And memories of doing that for Addie. And then remembering Addie saying, Mommy, can you send two extra notes because Ashlee and Cori's Mommy doesn't do that for them. Ahhhhhhh
I used to do this. Frequently. And sometimes I'd put in some change for a special snack from the concession stand. "Good job on your homework yesterday. Please choose a treat. Love, Mom" I'm hoping that they were excited to find them. Thanks for a great reminder of taking the time to do the little things.
Aw, my mom used to do the same thing everyday, haha. Sometimes she'd even do it in high school on days she just felt like it. (It didn't happen often then 'cause I was older and all that, but when i had my back turned, she'd sometimes surprise me.)
Oh, this one made me cry! I put notes in my son's lunchbox and have even printed out a few Lego cards from their website. He told us the other night at dinner that he doesn't see other kids getting notes and it warmed my heart to know that he notices things like that! So much of what we do is in the quiet moments that no one sees and sometimes we get glimpses of it's impact and sometimes we don't. But, we do it anyway because we love them!
Vanessa
http://southerninmyheart.blogspot.com
P.S. I'm having an Inspiratin Friday party and would love to have you join it! :-)
This got me a bit teary...Not so much because of the look of delight on your granddaughter's face (although I enjoy thinking of that, too), but because of the beauty involved in having passed this delightful legacy from mother to daughter over the years.
What a poignant way to find out how much those love notes from mommy meant to your own little girl.
And how sweet a gift it must be to know that she wants to give her daughter the same joy you gave to her.
I love it!
=)
=)
It only takes a minute, but the effect can last a lifetime.
So that's what happens! I always thought my daughter just ate the note as part of her lunch!
What a cute post! I will have to try that with my granddaughters. My sons always thought it was cheesy when I did something like that...stupid boys..
Oh I remember those days! So long ago it seems now. What a great moment that you were able to finally witness!
Love Di ♥
very cool that you got to see the reaction! ... it's the little things in life that are so precious ... so wonderful ... that fill our hearts!
I did that to with my kids and still do it with Hubby. Yesterday I drew a smiley face on his sandwich bag. I'm quite dangerous with a sharpie! Heeeehehehe!
Yeah, it doesn't take much time to give a little love. :o)
God bless you sweetie and have a fantastic weekend!!!
Such a simple sweet thing to do and such a wonderful endearing response. It makes the heart feel good to know the things we did for our children are the things they want to do for theirs.
Have a happy weekend Jenny!
Ok, my eyes are very watery now! Such joy she had. It is wonderful. But, you know what I take away from this the most?
The fact that the notes YOU wrote left such an impression that it was passed on. That is the kind of affect I want to have on my children. To so deeply imprint my love on them that it grows and blossoms and they continue to imprint others.
Great reminder! And what a wonderful moment for you to experience!
What a wonderful family tradition!I loved how she loved it.
How wonderful! I am so glad you shared this. I used to do that for my son, and now I want to ask if he remembers. How lucky for you to be able to share her excitement.
Teresa
It warms your heart to see something that you did with your children repeated with your grandchildren! I still text my kids that I love them, our son tells us that he loves us everytime he leaves. It warms my heart.
how wonderful that your daughter passed this wonderful mothering on to her daughter! you know you did a great job raising yours when they do a great job raising theirs!!!
Works with spouses too!
Whether it's in a lunch or a suitcase due to being out of town!
Melinda
How sweet! You finally got to see the reaction of a precious child finding a note from her mama. What a wonderful sight the looks on both of your faces must have been. What a precious moment that must have been for you.
This is a terrific post. I packed notes in my children's lunch boxes too but I have never had the pleasure of seeing any of them find them.
Hugs
What a sweet moment! I have put notes in lunch boxes, but never have been lucky enough to see it.
See....this is why we shoulda had the grand kids first!
Thanks Jenny, glad we got to experience it with you :)
Pure sweetness. I never did this with my kiddo...I always wanted to. It would surely make me happy if U had a surprise like that. I guess it is not too late to leave my boy a note...he's only 9! BUT my time is closing in...I won't be cool for much longer.
That is a sweet tradition. I love how kids are paying attention to everything we do. I know I definitely do things my mom did for us.
What a precious moment you were a part of!!!
My mom used to send me notes once in awhile, especially in H.S. telling me she hoped my "crush of the moment" would notice me, or some silly thing that would get me laughing during lunch.
I saved them all!!! Now my mom is gone, and I treasure them all the more!
That is such a lovely thing. I rarely put a note in my son's lunches except to remind them of things, ie, pick up times, etc...if I have grandchildren while I am of somewhat sound mind, I'll do better.
Oh Jenny, how absolutely adorable!
Wow, that must have been such a wonderful feeling...to find a note from your mom telling she loves you in your lunch bag. E is still too young but I plan to do the same when she's a little older. I know my husband loves it when I slip little notes of love into his wallet for him to find :) In fact, he's kept every single one I gave him!
what a precious grandma you are. i, too, wrote
hundreds of those notes. not many were ever
mentioned, but i didn't do it for me.
someday, i would love to see a sweet darling
in my backseat that happy!
have a wonderful weekend,
lea
I got goose bumps!
I love this...because I always did it. I would put little notes, sometimes a hershey's kiss...just a little something that let them feel less alone during the day. Like you, sometimes I heard about it...sometimes not. Oh, the good old days:)
The Commander and I are always leaving each other notes all over the house and we both love it!!
LuLu♥
And you also know for sure, now, that your children cherished the notes you placed. Here, the tradition is important and meaningful enough to be carried on!
This is such a sweet tradition. I used to work with a gentleman whose wife did that every work day for his entire working career. Imagine 30 or 40 years of those notes. Cool, eh?
Not fair to make me cry so early in the morning, Jenny.
I love that you got to see the reaction and now, because of this, I am converted to lunch box notes. Thanks.
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