“I cannot wait to give it you, Momma.” My daughter’s excitement rippled through the room. Her exuberance captured as her brown hair flew in all different directions. She twirled in and out of my office eager to reveal her “treasure.”
“I want to give it you before your birthday, Momma.”
“No, honey. Why don’t you wait? I promise you can give it to me soon.” My answer appeared to satisfy her.
On Friday, almost 2 weeks ago, with her hands clasped behind her back she raced down the stairs and told me to close my eyes. As she placed her gift in my open palms, she said, “I made it all by myself. And Daddy helped, just a little bit.”
I opened my eyes and the palette of colors stared back at me. She announced with loud enthusiasm, “It is an Origami bookshelf, Momma. I made the books and wrote tiny messages inside of them.”
Later my husband revealed that the idea was hers and since early September, barricaded in her room, she folded and creased so many sheets of Origami to make the perfect bookshelf. Each little book has sweet messages like “You are the best mom,” “I love you very much,” and “Roses are red, Violets are blue, and I love you.” The letters are in her handwriting, squashed together but still legible.
Holding this handmade bookshelf and flipping through the pages of these tiny books, I felt sandwiched in-between so many emotions. She chose a gift that was so me. This required a thoughtfulness that I know I did not possess at her age. Her sensitivity often sits at the edge of her eyes. It is often the highlight and low light of her existence. So many times I’ve viewed her puddle of tears as a drawback, but I also know this free-flow of emotions pushes her to be hyper-aware of the feelings of those that she loves. She’s paying attention to what moves me. This thought offered a particular comfort because I realized that my daughter recognizes something beyond my role as a mother. Her vision of me also includes my role as a writer and reader and how much words add sparkle to my day-to-day life.
This tiny little bookshelf sits near me. Every time I gaze in that direction I see so much of her heart. And mine too.
Wow Rudri, this touched my heart. How beautiful that she sees you completely. Her eyes and heart see you for all that you are and all that makes you happy. She is an amazing girl. You and your husband are the models for this sensitivity and beauty.
What an incredible gift! She loves her Mama!
That is just so cute! What a pretty and special bookcase! What a thrill to get a gift like this. This summer Marisha made a scrapbook of my poetry for my birthday. I was so surprised and remembered these special times when she and her brother were little. I’m so glad you know to treasure these moments.
This might be the coolest gift I’ve ever seen.
This is just beautiful! *sniff*
Wow! I don’t think I ever made anything like that as a kid, and I thought *I* was creative! 🙂 I love it when our kids to touching things that catch us off guard. Happy birthday too!
Oh, so lovely! Not meaning to be dramatic, but honestly? THIS is what is good in the world. Children with innocence and love and creativity and kindness in them.
This is absolutely precious, Rudri, for all the reasons you mentioned. The gift is so you and it is so *her* – I think it just says so much about both of you and the relationship that you share. I positively love it!
This is so beautiful. So very sweet. I’m sure it means so much to you – so thank you for sharing it with us.
Best gift ever!!
You will treasure this gift of love forever.
Hello! I found your blog through Only You blog, and I’m glad I did!
This is the most wonderful gift! What a thoughtful daughter! 🙂