Simplifying is Good
Simplifying.
It’s good for the schedule. It’s good for the house. It’s good for the soul. I love it when things are simple and organized. Like when that “catch-all drawer” in the kitchen is clean, with the paperclips in the paperclip box, the pens in the pen container, and the sunglasses, plastic robot, and Barbie crown where they’re supposed to be and NOT in the drawer. It makes finding things easier. Simpler.
So when Angie and Monkey’s Mama both invited me to write a six word memoir, I thought it would be fun. How great to write something short and sweet. Something simple. I decided to focus my memoir on parenting. I was excited…
Until I sat down and tried to write. Because how do you condense years of smiles and tears, milestones and memories, triumphs and trials, into SIX LITTLE WORDS?
But the more I thought about it, the more I realized it’s not the details of parenting that have affected me; it’s the feeling of it. The way being a mom has touched my heart. And that helped me to pin it down. So here’s what I came up with…
Heartstrings connected for all eternity. Grateful.
And I’m glad I did this little assignment. Because it made me stop and think about what really matters. It helped me to overlook the spilled glass of water on the floor this morning (and the day before), the bickering between my daughter and son before they went to school, and the pile of shoes by the garage door that never stays organized no matter how many times I straighten it out. When I focus on how much I love my kids, it makes all the challenges that come with parenting fade into the background.
So what about you? What would you say in six words about parenting? Or about life? Or about yourself? Here are some people I’ve invited to write their own memoir:
Mama-Om
Becoming Me
Shannon’s Journal
Spaghettipie
I’ve Changed my Name to Mommy
If you want to participate, just post your memoir on your blog (with a visual if you want), link back to the person who tagged you, tag at least five more blogs with links, and leave a comment on the tagged blogs with an invitation.
You don’t have to have a blog to join in, though. You can leave a comment here and share your six words. I’d love to hear from you. Because simplifying is good!
p.s. I thought it’d be fun to see what my kids would say if they participated in this. So I asked each of them to describe life in six words…
My daughter wrote about thirty words, then carefully narrowed her list down to: Happiness. Laughter. Hugs. Love. Fun. Family.
My son started off with “toilet”, and I stopped him right there. “But Mom, toilets are important,” he said. Apparently so. Especially in the mind of a seven year old boy.
I love that you played along and wrote about the feelings associated with parenting.
This was a lovely post.And my Boy would probably use “Toilet” too. Little boys. They’re awesome.
Great one! And I love that you asked the kids to join in. By the way, toilets are very important!
Okay, that is totally crazy! My husband just saw an article about this in our local newspaper, and all of the staff at his work have to bring their six-word memoir to the next staff meeting! I had a great time creating his last night, and even thought of one for myself. I’ll post on Friday. Thanks for including me – this is a fun one!
That is too funny about your husband having to put a memoir together! Glad you’re joining in and already thought of yours!
This is my constant motto-simplify- It gets tougher and tougher with four kids to do it! It’s nice to strip down and be reminded of the essence of parenting. I love you site and I read quite a few of your older posts. Terrific. the mice in the dollhouse are hilarious. Love that one!
Loved your 6 words.And the older I get, yes, the more important toilets become. I do believe indoor plumbing is one of the greatest contributions of the 20th century.
Wonderful post. I love it. Oh, I have written my 6 word memoir. It is called : Brevity is not my strong suit. I wrote and posted it sometime last month. I love your new button. I will need to swipe that code for my blog. Blessings. Angela
So beautiful! Great job on your 6 word memoir. And yes, organizing that catch all drawer can be so liberating :)
Thanks for leaving such a sweet comment. I was intrigued to see two things over here, 1) that you are a writer and 2)that you live in California.Me too!I hope you come back over for a visit soon…Joanne
I have always been a simple and orderly person.And the six words you chose are brilliant!
♡ Very good! toilets… :)
Oh, I want to do this! I will post it and link back to you later this week or so. I tagged you for a meme, too. 6 things again! Random facts about yourself.Hope all is well in your world and love you new blog look!