Back in the 70s I was far more crafty as a young momma than I am lately. I loved making gifts, baking, gardening, writing poetry and with a young married couple budget in mind my creativity was aided by input from elder mentors in our rural town, relatives, friends and back then members of the church I attended regularly.
I've been thinking how meaningful those small things, memories, conversations, little handmade cards, hand-picked flowers and homemade goodies were back then to me. These days with so much commercialism, technical devices, social media and less personal one-on-one time, I feel prompted to focus on those 'little gestures' more again.
There was a very sweet idea circulating when I was a young mother that I have used many times over the years for various reasons instead of a card or gift. My mother-in-law, Eva, loved the first one I made her as a very young momma, new daughter-in-law. Years later she mentioned it again and I made her a new one. She loved the little poem that went with it. Oh how I miss her right now and when I saw something similar I took a minute to close my eyes and say the little poem to mom hoping it might fly up to her in the clouds where her spirit might feel it once again as a reminder of my love and appreciation for her following another Mother's Day without her here.
It's an easy activity craft to make with kids and something I thought might be fun to share as a lighthearted uplifting gift with you. We used little blocks of wood and pretty cloth and ribbon to wrap the blocks with. No computers. Hand printed the little cards (but computer can be much quicker and neater also.) We also glued the cloth on and the bow. It's all up to your imagination.
Enjoy. In a time that has become so busy, sometimes overwhelming with the stresses and pressures of the day perhaps this will be a fun little gift to create for someone you care about. There are many versions of the poem that goes with it. The one we used was 'Anonymous'.
Here is the poem that goes with the little box or wooden block wrapped like a gift that reads:
This is a very special gift that you can never see. The reason it's so special is, it's just for you from me. Whenever you are happy or even feeling blue. You only have to hold this gift and know I think of you. You never can unwrap it. Please leave the ribbon tied. Just hold the box close to your heart. It's filled with love inside.
I hope you enjoy the peaceful, hopeful, loving remembering and sharing of this simple little gift idea.
If you have a special creative gift to share, an idea, suggestion, photo or story we welcome your submissions and thoughts, through letters to the editor or inquiries you may have. Contact me at:
editor@clearwatertimes.com or hettie.buck@starjournal.net
