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Friday, May 02, 2008

Mother's Day Photo Contest

5 Minutes for Mom is having a Mother's Day Photo Contest where you could win $1000. They are looking for photos that tell a story of what motherhood means to you.

I've spent all week trying to decide what photo to submit. How do you chose just one photo out of thousands to describe motherhood? Do I chose the 4 generation photo with my grandmother, mom, me, and Kayla? A photo of Kayla after she was born since she made me a mother? A photo of me with my kids, or the kids by themselves?

The photo I finally settled on is pretty unconventional. It's a pile of letters. I told the story about my parent's divorce and how my brother and I lived with my dad, but that didn't mean my mom wasn't a big part of our lives.

She made sure she was very involved in our lives with visits, phone calls, and letters. I've kept those letters and used to re-read them every once in awhile. Just like this blog has become a history of my kids' childhood, these letters are now a history of my childhood. Reading them transports me back to being a kid - reading my mom's questions about friends in my life, how I liked my teachers, how I was doing in school.

The letter on top is 25 years old. She talks about Dukes of Hazard, Fame, Knight Rider, and the movies the Black Stallion and ET.

Motherhood means so many different things to different people and these letters represent motherhood to me; a connection between a mom and her kids during the years we didn't live together. I can read her words and know how much she cared about and loved me.



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16 comments:

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

You're right to each of us motherhood is represented in a different way. Your children are darling!

Anonymous said...

Now you know you are going to make your mom cry as soon as she reads this. Michelle, your relationship with your mom is very special and you can hear it in your words how much you love and admire her.

Grace Acres said...

I have a cousin with downs syndrome and growing up we (us cousins)all felt like he was the cool child. Your daughter is so beautiful and she displays so much joy in her pictures.I am so glad I ran across your blog.

Anonymous said...

What a great entry! Your mom will love it.

LauraJ said...

that is a wonderful entry! i do hope you win!

smileymamaT said...

well I think that is brilliant. Plus, warm, eye-catching, and heartfelt. Very nice.

Melanie D. said...

That is beautiful.
Thank you for sharing.

Mom24 said...

What a wonderful gift of love. You are so smart to have kept them. People just don't write letters anymore. I think your picture is great.

Sue said...

Wow. That is a great photo. Very special. You were able to capture more than memories.

Mary said...

I went back and read your previous post. It's a beautiful story. Your mom made a tremendous sacrifice. I can only imagine how difficult it was for her.

Sara said...

Michelle you have been tagged :)

Anonymous said...

Meesh, what a beautiful post. I got a little teary. I agree with your MIL. You and your mom have a very special relationship. She is a wonderful woman who I also love very much. I wouldn't have ever thought of this type of photo to represent motherhood, but it's actually so perfect. Wow. It really makes you stop and think.
love you.

Killlashandra said...

What a wonderful keepsake! I know you have thousands of photographs of wonderful family moments but a letter really touches the heart. That's wonderful you kept all those. :)

Anonymous said...

That is so beautiful. What a nice take on the task!

Kari (GrannySkywalker) said...

Those letters are awesome! My gosh! Were you just born organized or what? I have a few bits and pieces, birthday cards and such, from my childhood, but it'd take a bit of an effort to actually locate them these days. I've got them stashed here, there and everywhere. I'm going to have to work on that part of my "Mission Organization" I've been doing lately. lol

Kari

Bonita said...

Wow! I can't even imagine being in your mom's shoes and living apart from her children, but what a special treasure you have in those letters and the relationship they represent! Something to be passed down for many generatsions to come. The picture is beautiful.