Day 10: People Only Know What They Know

This largely unedited free-write is linking up with the annual Write 31 Days Challenge. // indicates the start and stop of five minutes.

In honour of today being Canadian Thanksgiving , I am switching today’s prompt word with tomorrow. Therefore, the prompt word for today is THANKS. Go!

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// A little while ago, I saw the most amazing commercial on tv. It was of a family sitting down for dinner, and when the mother brought the food in and set it on the table, the whole family (husbands and teenagers alike) all CHEERED and waved and screamed for her!

I can’t even remember what the commercial was advertising, but I remember my heart leaping into my chest and thinking,

“Oh my gosh! That would be AMAZING! That’s exactly what I’d like my family to do for me!”

Unrealistic? Perhaps, but it taught me something. It taught me that I can’t expect my family to meet my needs and desires until I first figure out what I actually WANT.   

One of our pastors at church often says, “PEOPLE DON’T KNOW WHAT THEY DON’T KNOW.” Super simple, but so true! Not just in church, but in families too.

• Our husbands only know what they know, and if we don’t tell them what we want, how are they supposed to know?
• Same goes for our kids. We can’t expect them to know what we want unless we first understand it ourselves and then teach them.

So, here’s my weird twist on the prompt word, THANKS. In a magical world, if I could put words into my kids’ mouths…

Here’s How I WANT to be Thanked

Dearest Mom,

I just wanted to stop playing for a moment to tell you just how much I love and appreciate you. Thank you for everything you do for me. //

Thank you for always helping me with stuff, like my homework, group projects, science projects, and other stuff that Dad isn’t good at.

[haha! ok, I know I’m taking my liberties here…]

Thanks for making us delicious suppers all the time. I especially like that you are brilliant at getting everything finished at the same time. When we sit down, everything is still hot and perfect. We notice and we care. You are amazing, Mom!

Thank you for giving up your free time to serve us. Thank you for going shopping AGAIN for glue sticks, art supplies, and more school socks. I see all of the times when you take your money and spend it on stuff we need. You take care of us so well.

And speaking of shopping, thanks so much for going grocery shopping ALLLLLL the time. I know we are eating everything, and it’s kinda frustrating to run out of milk AGAIN, but thanks for buying more.

Thanks, Mom, for all of the times you play taxi driver for us. I know I should’ve told you earlier that I had another drama practice, but thank you for giving up your ME time and coming anyway.

And thanks also for always being willing to drive my friends home. They like you because you take care of them too. I’m proud that my friends like you, Mom.

Thanks for showing us how to learn. You are always learning something new, and it inspires me to keep learning too. We like that you are still taking singing lessons, and cooking lessons, and computer classes. I think you’re the smartest Mom around and I like when you’re good at stuff.

Thanks for playing with us, Mom. Thanks for making us play card games and board games with you. Thanks for making us read with you. Thanks for making us sit down and eat together. We have so many awesome memories just because you made us BE together.

Thanks for making me do my chores. I know, I know, I don’t like doing them, but I’m glad that, at least, I know how to wash and iron my clothes. Sheesh, Mom, some of my friends don’t even know how to make a grilled cheese sandwich. I can make spaghetti sauce from scratch. I feel very powerful. Thanks for teaching me to be independent and responsible.

Thanks for loving Dad and showing us how to be a faithful wife. We know that sometimes Dad is grumpy and doesn’t deserve kindness, but you give it anyway. We can see how God helps you to love him and serve him. And I’m proud of the way you guys flirt with each other and kiss and stuff (even though we pretend to be grossed out). I want to be like you guys when I grow up!

And thanks, especially, for showing us how to be faithful―not just to church but especially to God. I see when you’re tired and would rather stay home, but you always keep your word, AND you even keep your smile on when you’re tired. I’m so glad that you’re not a grumpy Mom. I’m proud of you when I see you singing on Sundays and leading people in worship. I know when you’re not feeling strong, but you still do it.

Wow, Mom, I’m so proud of you!

With ♥ and kisses from your favourite child,

All of us

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Haha, I hope you enjoyed reading that as much as I enjoyed writing it! Did you get the message?

• It’s easy to identify what kind of kids we want to raise, but what about us?
• What kind of a Mom do we want to be?

YOUR HOMEWORK FOR TODAY:  

1. Write a letter to yourself from your imaginary teenager and
2. Use it to cast vision for WHO YOU WANT TO BE AS “MOM!”

Now, GO, and fulfill that vision! You can do it!

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To read more of 31 Days of Mom Awesomeness, click here.

For more information on the Write 31 Days challenge, check out Christina Hubbard’s site!