Every once in a while I come across a blog with writing so beautiful that I feel like I’m cheating. I should have to buy a book for talent this good or subscribe to a literary magazine to read such an article. The amazing talent here today? She is the author of one such blog.
To say I am honored that my friend Alycia, known as the Crayon Wrangler, is guest posting here today is an understatement. I believe I could read the post that she is sharing over and over again and it would never lose its magic.
Take a minute to read her words here then go visit her at Coloring Outside the Lines. You will be hooked just as I am.
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Story Time
“What happens next?” I say for the 20th time today.
“The bad, scary wolf jumps on the table and spills the tea.”
“What happens next?” I’m now up to 21.
Her forehead wrinkles in concern as she attempts to sort out what the implications of the wolf spilling the tea at the royal tea party would be. Would he be hunted? Would the squirrel, rabbit and princess guests shriek and run in terror?
“Take that part out, Momma.”
This part of our storytelling saddens me, in the power they believe I have over life choices and outcomes. If only it was always this easy for them. To simply rip out a page of their life and rewrite it.
In order to teach my children creativity, choices, cause and effect; I started keeping notebooks and allowing them to create their own story. We sit down and through the question “What happens next?” they take turns and I write their story for them. Often silly and always magical, the girls weave stories and learn the basics of characters, conflicts and resolutions.
It’s these times when we are curled around the blank pages of their stories that I pray for my girls.
I know there will be times in their lives where a wolf spills their tea or huffs and puffs their castles to crumbled, scattered remains. I pray that when this page is facing them, they remember that the outcome has not been written yet. I pray that they understand that the choices they make in their reactions will be what determines what “The End” will look like for them. The scary wolves, crumbled castles and the spilled tea will find them no matter how powerful their kingdom might be; it’s part of everyone’s Life Story.
Until the day comes when they will sit alone with their blank notebook and ask themselves “What happens next?” I will be there to tear out the pages they are not yet prepared to deal with, leaving only the pages of whimsical magic.
When they do reach that page in their adult life of the scary wolf and don’t know “What happens next?” I will be there as well. I will hold their hands and their hearts; together we will finish the pages. I will always help them rebuild their crumbled castles and clean up the spilled tea.
Although they may walk alone within their story, I will always be reading.
This is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing. I’ve found a new person to read as well, so that is even better.
Penbleth recently posted..Then and now
Twitter: penbleth
I love reading her and her tweets crack me up sometimes. She does some of the most beautiful photography I have ever been blessed to see. I already love her to pieces
What is it with wolves and their hatred of tea?
Beautifully put.
KLZ recently posted..The Crocodile Roll
Twitter: Taminginsanity
I love it when the yin and the yang of my day come together.
To find Alycia right here with Jessica – its karma
Beautiful words, lovely ladies ….
I think I will go and make a pot of tea and read a story with my girls.
Twitter: ByWordsMusings
Beautiful. I’m constantly wondering “what happens NEXT!” when I think about life. The way that you have integrated this into your children’s lives is wonderful.
Julie recently posted..Head over Feet…
What a wonderful tradition to have with your children- a great way to encourage imagination.
And I adore you both. xoxo
Shell recently posted..Letting Go of the Pre-Baby Body Image
Way to make a girl with fresh makeup cry. That was so incredibly sweet and touching. It makes me want to go hug my kids.
This made me tear up and give me that lump in my throat that if I let it get the better of me will launch me in to the “ugly cry”.
What a beautiful post that truly expresses the love a mother has for her child. This made me miss my own mother dearly but also reminded me so much how much she loved me. Thank you for that.
Twitter: Periwinklepapi
What a truly beautiful thing to do for and with your girls.
CDG recently posted..A New Venture and a Giveaway!
Twitter: MoveOverMaryP
It is such a hard notion to teach and be OK to allow happen with our kids, but you are right – there is a cause and effect with every situation. Unfortunately, the spilled tea is an unavoidable disappointment.
liz recently posted..Easy Canvas Prints Giveaway
Thanks for dropping by my blog. That story is beautiful I am following now.
http://www.thisfarmfamilyslife.blogspot.com
Sarah recently posted..The Answer to the Spoon Mystery
I saw this tweeted earlier and I opened a window so I could read it. It’s sat there all day while I’ve been distracted by other things, waiting for me to come back to it. I’m now sitting here in a quiet house and I can read it – really read it. And I think there’s a reason I had to wait until now. I really needed this today. It’s beautiful.
MamaRobinJ recently posted..Party Like an Introvert
Twitter: FarewellStrangr
So glad you had a quiet moment to read and this was what you needed today. Beautiful isn’t it? The Crayon Wrangler always amazes me.
What a beautiful post. I love the portrait of an amazing mother this paints too.
Branson recently posted..Reclaiming Sundays
Twitter: Bransonlee
What a great tradition to have with your kids. Fabulous guest post pick, Jessica!
Elena recently posted..Mr Big
Twitter: NaynaDub
Oh Wow! This is beautiful. I love it. Her blog is amazing.
Sarah recently posted..Black & White Wordless Wednesday
Twitter: naptimemomtog
I love how to chose to write about this tough dilemma mamas face. Glad your girls have your by their side.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Blissfully Domestic Helped My Community Shine
I have loved everything I have read by the Crayon Wrangler and this was no exception.
Tonya recently posted..Big Day- Big Fun
Twitter: letters4lucas