#TellHisStory: A Letter to Daughters

July 24, 2013 | 8 comments

Dear Daughter,

You brushed up against me in the kitchen last night, when you were browning hamburger and I was chopping garden radishes.

Right then, I remembered all the times we’ve melted into each other over your eleven years on earth: in the nursery rocker; nestled in your tiny hospital bed that week when you were so sick; in a dark movie theatre when our hands reached for the same box of Milk Duds; on a shore in Haiti, with our legs stretched out together, while we watched the moon rise over the sea; countless nights under your quilt, debating who loved who more. (All the way to Jupiter and back, babe.)

You always seemed so small next to me.

But now? I turn around, and you are this little woman at the stove, stirring. The steam rose from a boiling pot on the stovetop; you swiped your forehead with the back of your hand.

I blinked my eyes, and that’s how fast you traveled from Goodnight Moon to Good Luck Charlie, to good home cooking in our kitchen. Good gracious, girl, you’ve grown up.

You asked for the salt, and your voice was so small, and I think that’s God’s way of making this growing-up thing easier on a mama. He’s kept your voice little, to let me know that you’re still my baby. I handed you the salt shaker, and I kept my mouth shut, because you might have rolled your eyes if I said then what I’m going to tell you now:

(Read the rest of this letter, and Lydia’s written response, by clicking over here at The High Calling…)

So, what’s your Story? A #TellHisStory is any story that connects your story into the story of God.

For details on the #TellHisStory linkup, click here: https://jenniferdukeslee.com/tell-his-story/. Be sure to find someone (or two) in the link-up to encourage with a comment. Come back on Friday to visit our Featured #TellHisStory, in the sidebar.

Your words matter to God. They matter to people. And they matter to me!

~Jennifer

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by dukeslee | July 24, 2013 | 8 comments

8 Comments

path of treasure on July 24, 2013 at 1:23 am

Sweet, sweet stuff! Love it. Treasure and store up these moments– and these precious letters!
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Lisa notes... on July 24, 2013 at 7:59 am

Those moments can catch us off guard, seeing our little ones doing big things. My daughter in college still has handwriting that reminds me she’s still my baby girl (she may not appreciate that though! ha). I like those reminders even in the midst of her growing up.
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Kim on July 24, 2013 at 10:04 am

Your Lydia is wise beyond her years. She must get it from her Mama.
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Deanne Moore on July 24, 2013 at 10:47 am

I love your words Jennifer but Lydia……she slays me!!! Oh my…. I wrote about my “factory made” farm boy today. So thankful God is allowing you guys to raise those baby girls on the farm and in the garden. This blessed me today, as always.
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Mia on July 24, 2013 at 2:21 pm

Dear Jennifer
I think my spectacles must be very outdated, because for some reason my sons, aged 21 and 23, still look to me like the way they did about 15 years ago! And for the life of me, I cannot understand why I am, according to them and my husband, not supposed to faff over them any more. They still seem so helpless and vulnerable. Hahahahahaaaaaa!
Blessings XX
Mia
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Lynn Morrissey on July 24, 2013 at 2:33 pm

I commented over at Higher Calling, Jennifer. You’re wonderful. Lydia, too!
XXOO
L.
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Nannette and The Sweetheart on July 24, 2013 at 6:21 pm

I’m dyin’ and cryin’ all at the same time…and using bad grammar! But I can’t help myself, that was just too precious for proper and stuffy words! Loved it!!
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Stephani on August 5, 2013 at 5:56 pm

Jennifer, I mean to comment on this long ago, but am just getting to it! I read the full post at The High Calling. I love this and you’re relationship. You’re daughter is wise beyond her years. This post reminded me of my own relationships with my youngest niece. She is now 12. We have a private blog where we write letters back and forth. I post something and then she posts something back. It’s kinda fun!
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