Love Letters

Like many sentimental moms, I keep things my kids give me. And I'm always surprised by how much stuff there is -- even tho' we have a large family!

I don't know how it started, but my kids all like to write me notes. Sometimes they're little love notes when I go on a trip, sometimes they're explanations of why they poked a sibling in the arm, sometimes they're apologies. Once I received a contract listing all the things my guilt-ridden son thought he ought to be forbidden to do to punish him for something that happened. And it wasn't even really his fault!

But what's been cool about it, is that they've been able to say things on paper (for me to read later) that they couldn't bring themselves to say in person. Knowing they didn't have to face me while they talked about personal things gave them enough space to go ahead and open their minds to me.

Sometimes I answer, more often I just go find them and give them a smile and a hug. But these notes are all precious.

Communication is important among people, but especially between child and parent. Communication makes relationships possible. It provides a path for forgiveness, for love, for understanding and belief in one another.

If talking isn't working, give a letter a try.


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