So, here’s the skinny: I keep thinking about writing and how often our perfectionism gets in the way of our words. And so a while back I figured, why not take 5 minutes and see what comes out: not a perfect post, not a profound post, just five minutes of focused writing.

No extreme editing; no worrying about perfect grammar, font, or punctuation. Just painting with words. Finger-painting even.

For only five minutes.

I love that so many of you loved that idea too. So we gather here every Friday to compare our five minute masterpieces, in all their messy beauty. We just write, without worrying if it’s just right or not.

And this week, I asked on Facebook what we should write about. Two of you suggested, “New.”

You got it.

To paint your verbal picture and share it with us just:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Get a little crazy with encouragement for the five minuter who linked up before you.

OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes for the prompt:

New…

GO:

You’re only seconds old and you’re the newest thing I have ever seen. Your eyes haven’t opened yet but your entire face is turned in my direction.

You’re one and walking. They told me it would happen and still I’m astounded when it does.

You’re two and signing to me and your dad and I think it’s the most brilliant form of finding out whether you want more Cheerios or milk in the world.

You’re three and moving across country with us, missing your John Deere tractors and the cows and the fields of corn that waved good-bye.

You’re four and spiderman and suddenly you show me what it’s like to be rescued on a daily basis.

You’re five and for the first time you’re more you than me or your dad. You’ve got new thoughts and loud arguments and intense conversations when both of us should have been asleep hours before.

You’re going to be six.

You’re going to be six next week and each year brings something new I could never have known to expect. You are my first. You will always be my newest arc of experiences.

You teach me.

You mold me.

You show me.

You make me new.

You make me into the mother I am becoming. Take my hand on Saturday when you blow out those candles. Take my hand because I can’t bear to be left behind you.

Let’s keep making wishes together.

My always and forever favorite birthday present.

STOP.

OK, your turn – show me what you’ve got.

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