So, here’s the skinny: I keep thinking about writing and how often our perfectionism gets in the way of our words. And so a while back I figured, why not take 5 minutes and see what comes out: not a perfect post, not a profound post, just five minutes of focused writing.
No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation. Just painting with words. Finger-painting even.
For only five minutes.
I love that so many of you loved that idea too. So we gather here every Friday to compare our five minute masterpieces, in all their messy beauty. We just write, without worrying if it’s just right or not.
And this week, I asked on Facebook what we should write about. Two of you suggested, “New.”
You got it.
To paint your verbal picture and share it with us just:
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Get a little crazy with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.
OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes for the prompt:
New…
You’re only seconds old and you’re the newest thing I have ever seen. Your eyes haven’t opened yet but your entire face is turned in my direction.
You’re one and walking. They told me it would happen and still I’m astounded when it does.
You’re two and signing to me and your dad and I think it’s the most brilliant form of finding out whether you want more Cheerios or milk in the world.
You’re three and moving across country with us, missing your John Deere tractors and the cows and the fields of corn that waved good-bye.
You’re four and spiderman and suddenly you show me what it’s like to be rescued on a daily basis.
You’re five and for the first time you’re more you than me or your dad. You’ve got new thoughts and loud arguments and intense conversations when both of us should have been asleep hours before.
You’re going to be six.
You’re going to be six next week and each year brings something new I could never have known to expect. You are my first. You will always be my newest arc of experiences.
You teach me.
You mold me.
You show me.
You make me new.
You make me into the mother I am becoming. Take my hand on Saturday when you blow out those candles. Take my hand because I can’t bear to be left behind you.
Let’s keep making wishes together.
My always and forever favorite birthday present.
STOP.
OK, your turn – show me what you’ve got.
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Oh six is such a great age filled with lots of new! I love that you are treasuring the moments.
lisa-jo, this is so very lovely! happy birthday to your sweet boy-babe.
So sweet, Lisa Jo. I feel so many of those same things about my oldest {almost 5}. Hard to remember he was ever new. That I was ever a new parent. When i was much more excited about it all. This was a great reminder. :)
My sons are 8 and 17. It is so hard for me to remember when they were little. I savor the moments. Happy birthday to your precious little one!
Beautiful tribute, how blessed you are by those three little people God has given you! Happy Birthday little-big-man. I have one turning 6 in December, *sniff* it happens so fast! (we are on an ‘even’ year as mine will be 8,6, 4 and 2! Mercy! ;)
Loved this…”You make me into the mother I am becoming.” Every season with our children bring something new. We are constantly learning. They teach us so much!
Beautiful, beautiful love. Happy birthday to your little (big!) man!
Golly, Lisa-Jo, it’s only 0825 and you have me bawling. Happy birthday to your not so little boy!
I loved your essay “New.” Is this really what you can do with no editing, or overthinking?! I can’t imagine being able to write like that off the cuff… but I will try!
So sweet!!! My daughter will be six on Aug. 31st. I can relate!
Love,
b
Hope your daughter has a happy 6th birthday, Beth, and lots of new things to look forward to in the next year!
http://childrencount.wordpress.com/2011/08/19/5-minute-friday-new/
what an incredibly beautiful little post- from just 5 minutes of writing. what a cool idea, a cool meme, a cool prompt. i may try this. thanks for sharing! :)
“Take my hand because I can’t bear to be left behind you.” This touched my heart so deeply that I wept. I’m afraid of being left behind.
I love how you wrote that your son will “always be your newest arc of experiences.” Happy Birthday to your son and may you continue to cherish the moments as you’ve so aptly shared.
This is gorgeous…in thought, emotion and prose. It struck a chord with me as my daughter is turning six, turning into a first-grader and turning away from me more than I had hoped at this tender age. I try to hold her hand, my heart memorizing its size and heat, and she wriggles away. We truly come along for the journey of their lives – simply the vessels God chose for them to pass through to this earth. I am blessed to call my children, mine and I can see that you relish yours just the same. Thank you for your courageous sharing. I wish I had the same.
Wonderful thoughts on new!
LOL… thought the prompt was the picture. Oh well, it worked.
That’s a Fab Five, Lisa-Jo. Woot!
I feel this one deep. Each new moment here … then gone … but (thanks be to God) replaced by another New.