I began with the best of intentions.
But somehow
everyday life got in the way
and pushed those intentions aside.
And now that you’re all grown up and married
I wonder…
Did I tell you all the things that I meant to?
Did I remember to tell you that flowers come up every Spring
no matter how harsh the winter.
That the sun will surely rise every morning to greet a new day
and yes
it is always darkest just before dawn.
Did I remember to tell you to respect nature
and find a part of it that you love…a mountain, a beach, or a forest,
for it is there you will be restored.
Did I tell you that those things that are most important will often require the most sacrifice and the most work
Worthwhile endeavors take time and don’t always come easy
When you feel like quitting
ask yourself why you started
and the answer can cheer you on to the finish line.
Did I remember to tell you never to move so fast that it becomes hard to stop
Give yourself a break
Take the time to have a long, restorative talk with a good friend
go for a leisurely walk
or take a bubble bath
And go ahead and have a piece of cake
Preferably one you’ve made
And preferably chocolate
Or coconut. 😉
Did I remember to tell you that everything has a season
You can’t always focus on everything you might like to at once
It’s ok to let some things go for the time being.
It’s even ok to want to quit.
But don’t.
Did I tell you that every day you will be bombarded with choices to make
Choose wisely
Go where the good things are, and leave the bad behind
And don’t look back.
Did I remember to tell you that the things that bother us the most,
that drive us crazy,
are actually life’s greatest lessons?
Embrace them, for you will never have a better teacher.
Did I remember to tell you that every relationship has peeks and valleys
and will inevitably go through changes
Some welcome, many not so much
Every flower was once a bud
Change is what we need to be who we were meant to be
It can be scary and uncomfortable
But it’s always good.
Did I tell you to remember your past, but look to the future
Remember that your past made you who you are
but within the future lies endless possibilities for new opportunities and new adventures.
Did I tell you the joy that comes from making a house a home
Discovering your style and expressing it has joys yet undiscovered for you
It will come
Find a creative outlet and work on it regularly
You’ll find it is then you’re most at peace.
Did I tell you to be brave and bold, but temper those traits with good judgment.
Did I tell you to be courteous, and always in a meaningful way.
Good manners and consideration for others will never go out of style.
Did I remember to tell you that the only love worth giving is unconditional
Anything less is second rate.
Did I tell you to be thoughtful of others, and to try to consider their needs and meet them halfway
And don’t be afraid to occasionally meet them all the way
You’ll know when it’s right to do so
And you’ll know when you’re being a doormat
Follow your instincts
They are your compass
and they will never betray you.
Did I tell you to dance, sing and laugh with abandon…
the swiftest way to feeling old is to stop.
Did I remember to tell you these things as we were living our lives
amidst the day to day hustle and bustle?
I hope so
but whether I did or I didn’t
take what works for you and do what you will with the rest.
Your life is yours and yours alone, to live as you so choose.
And pssssst…did I remember to tell you you’re my greatest treasure?
Yes, I do believe I told you that.
In other news…
I had the pleasure and honor of being interviewed by Floor Coverings International recently! I’d love it if you’d click on over to check it out right here.
Sharing At
Tweak It Tuesday
Judy Clark says
Beautiful photos and post. I would say you have one very lucky and loved daughter!
Judy
Al says
Some great words of wisdom, not just for your daughter but for all of us.
Cathy @ 1929 Charmer Cottage says
It is a very beautiful, and thoughtful post. Also great words of wisdom, and love in every word. You daughter is very lucky to have you as a Mom, and I know she knows how much you love her.
kelly says
Those are great tips for your daughter! I’m sure she is thankful to have such a loving mom who cares about her so much. I know she’s still your baby even though she’s grown up and married!
Cyn says
Love this! Just beautiful.
Jane says
This truly a beautiful post. I love your thoughts on taking time to rrst, but not to quit. Very true. Sometimes we women think it’s all or nothing.
Love your pretty flower photos!
Jane xx
Linda says
Lovely. We tell our daughters these things best by living them daily.
Wishes for tásty dishes,
Linda
Denise says
Beautiful!
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
When I wrote my e-course on how to creatively write, this was exactly what I was telling them. This is the best post of yours I’ve ever read. My eye couldn’t wait to get to the next line. It is simply beautiful, and I can tell came from a place where you let your guard down and just let it come to you. You didn’t have to meet it halfway.
Brenda
Doreen says
Thank you Brenda. Coming from you it means a lot.
tammy j says
you lived it. and she watched you. and just like osmosis in a little thriving plant… she soaked up all that wisdom and love and beauty. you can see it in her. at least in the past posts I’ve read here.
i had that with my own mother. i admired her so. i was abnormal in that i never even went through that terrible teenage stage you hear about where daughters dislike their mothers! i adored her. always. and i still miss her to this very day.
i always thought 1500 miles was too far from her! and here … your own is in singapore! ohmygoodness doreen! SO FAR!!!
this tribute to her and the two of you as mother and daughter should be made into an exquisite little book.
what a legacy it is.
and….
i love that porch! and… what a great interview!!! kudos dear bean! XOXO♥
Cindy says
What a beautiful post. I t really moved me. Pretty images.
Cindy
carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
Oh Doreen – you’re usually making me laugh, but now you have me totally welling up.
This is just beautiful and so heartfelt. I felt your heart in every line. Daughters are such a blessing, but I know your daughter is thinking that she is blessed to have such a wonderful Mother.
God bless and thanks for sharing Hon. xoxo
Ceciia says
Oh! That is absolutely beautiful! I have a lump in my throat…words of wisdom to live by for all of us. Thanks, Doreen!
hugs,
Cecilia
Julie says
Wow Doreen, that was such a beautiful post! I loved the photos of the beautiful flowers and your words to live by. I hope you had a nice weekend. Enjoy this week too.
Emily says
She is very lucky, you remembered to tell her everything important. Lovely words and beautiful photographs.
Pinky says
What a BEAUTIFUL post!!! Wise words to any daughter…or son. Thanks for sharing this.
Feral Turtle says
What a beautiful post Doreen! I am going to forward this to my kids! Gorgeous pics too! Have a wonderful week. Now to check out your interview! Cheers,
andi says
So beautiful Doreen! And fantastic pictures, as always. 🙂
-andi
Jemma says
Doreen,
I have read this articulate, heartfelt, creative, inspiring and touching post over and over throughout the weekend.
Your words resonate with me and as I read the comments many, many others, each stunning, beautiful and bright photo captured what you were feeling. Truly, one powerful and glorious letter to your very Blessed daughter, to have a Mom like you.
xo
Jemma
Doreen says
What a lovely comment Jemma! You truly made my day :).
Poppy says
”Did I remember to tell you that flowers come up every Spring
no matter how harsh the winter.
That the sun will surely rise every morning to greet a new day
and yes
it is always darkest just before dawn.”
A beautifully written, and passionately felt, letter to your beloved daughter, whom I am certain, knows exactly how much her mother adores and respects her, but I am so glad that you expressed these wishes for her in this precious piece of prose, which she will undoubtedly cherish, as will your readers. Your lessons are wise, (and witty!), and along with your pretty photos, make for an unforgettable treasure box of advice on love, relationships, work, peace, and communication with oneself and others. Thank you for sharing it all with us, too!
Popped over to your interview; kudos for being featured! I should have guessed that you had begun your journey into blogdom via such cyberspace soirees of support and camaraderie!
Have a lovely week, my friend!
xoxo
Poppy
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
Hello Doreen! This is so beautiful! It must have brought tears to your daughter’s eyes. It read so sweet, honest, and heartfelt. I loved the orchid pictures too. Well done. <3
rue says
This post gave me chills. Beautiful 🙂
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
Doreen, this is just beautiful! I am always saying, “I have only two years left to teach my son everything he needs to know before he goes off to college!” Somehow, even if not in words, but by your own example, I’m sure you taught your daughter all of these things.
Kim says
This is just beautiful and so true. I sending this to my own, I think I am telling these things, either implicitly or implied, but now I can tell them in black and white. Lovely.
SharonFromMichigan says
What a beautiful poem and what an awesome interview. I too miss Candice Olson on HGTV. I loved watching her show. I enjoy reading your blog and being your cyber friend! Have a great day.
Doreen says
Thank you Sharon, and I so enjoy your visits and thoughtful comments!
Sue says
I have been thinking about some of those thoughts in the poem lately, and this poem presents them so beautifully – thank you so much for this lovely thought out post Doreen. Love the interview and I just had to tweet it too.
Red Rose Alley says
Hello Doreen,
Thank you for visiting us at Red Rose Alley. You have such a lovely blog, and while I was browsing through your pictures, I noticed the flowers and smiled. They are so vibrant with color and just gorgeous. This is a very special list of things to pass on to your daughter. I wanted to come by and tell you that Yes, my daughter just got her Ph.D. in English Literature. It has been a long haul for her, but finally completed it, and she is trying to relax a bit and celebrate.
It’s so nice to meet new friends. I hope you visit us again.
~Sheri at Red Rose Alley
Red Rose Alley says
Doreen, I just left you a long comment, so I hope you got it. I’ll check back to see if it went through.
~Sheri
Doreen says
Hi Sheri!
Thank you for visiting, and yes, your comments went to spam but I do check that regularly so no worries. I’ll be by again to check up on your shenanigans soon ;).
Dewena says
Oh, Doreen, how lovely! I’m so behind in blog visits but very glad I found this one. It is full of things I also wish I had told my one daughter and that I wish my mother had told me. But Tammy is right, our lives speak louder than our words, even when they are as beautiful and profound as yours here, and I know she learned all this at your knee.
I have to admit that I wish I could get my wonderful, lovely daughter to slow down. She works in an industry (ad executive) where that doesn’t seem possible. I worry about her so much. Having worked from home since I had children, I never had the stress of a career away from home. She does have the blessing of living within a short walk of the beach and she says that her evening walks along the shore restore her and I’m grateful for that.
Do we ever stop worrying about our daughters?
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
Such a lovely post. Beautifully written and holding all of life’s lessons.
And yes, chocolate of course : )
Laura says
What a beautiful post. There are messages in there for us all. xo Laura
ALICIA says
QUE HERMOSAS FOTOS!!
PRECIOSO TODO.
SALUDITOS
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
This is so beautiful and well-written Doreen! The words are for all of us as well as our children…. and for a daughter or son. I MUST print this out and share it with my son, if that is alright with you. These are so many things that I probably have NOT remembered to tell my son! I don’t know how much they listen to us or heed the words we are saying. My own mother told me many of these things that you wrote, but I did not realize the wisdom of them until many years later. Oh… I also read the entire story of your family “Two Brothers from Bari” and it was wonderful to get a view of the Italian history, as I’m sure many of the other people of other origins faced. I wish someone in my family would have written a discourse like this! Our ancestors were so much stronger I think, and had much more fortitude than those of us who didn’t have to go through such hardships. Thank you so much for sharing that story, as well as your words to your daughter! Marilyn
Doreen says
Thank you Marilyn! It’s so nice of you to read the entire story of my grandfather. I agree with everything that you said about our ancestors. I’m thinking THEIR ancestors were stronger still!