Around here we write for five minutes flat on Fridays.
We write because we love words and the relief it is to just write them without worrying if they’re just right or not. So we take five minutes on Friday and write like we used to finger paint. For joy in the process. No matter how messy the result.
Got five minutes? Come and write with us, we promise to tell you we loved it! (<—Tweet this!)
1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking
2. Link back here and invite others to join in.
3. Please visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments.
OK, are you ready? Give me your best five minutes on:
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Ache…
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GO
I love her in irrational ways.
I want to bookend each minute with her with a photograph. I snap them in my head. How she turns and giggles over her shoulder. That dimple that teases from the left cheek, or is it the right.
They told me it would be like this- all those mothers of daughters who laughed off my fear. How right they were seems small in comparison to how I love her. I am unmade at the generosity that she was entrusted to me. Whole years of my life have been redeemed in this first year of hers.
There is the way she dances – knees bent, squatting and rocking and bouncing to the beat. There is the way she clenches her fists and her jaw in joy when a moment overwhelms her. There is the way she pinches my arm as I rock her, how she wants to let go her bottle and place her hands on my cheeks. There is the way she wants to look right into my eyes as she falls asleep.
I see worlds in hers.
On the cusp of one year. One full year. How will I swallow all this joy and longing for what was and desperate excitement for what is still to come. Daughter. That word holds me in the palm of its hand.
Daughter.
We will grow up together. Close your eyes, Zoe. It’s almost time to make a wish.
STOP
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OK, show me what you’ve got.
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oh…so sweet…my heart is full too…but mine is the my new grandlove…to much to hold in a heart…so much it aches…drink it all in:)
blessings~
Those blue eyes make me miss a little girl that never was. (I have all boys!)
Happy Birthday Little Miss Zoe.
Oh, Lisa-Jo…I understand this all too well from the inside out; I STILL feel this way and my babygirl is (gulp) 19!! But I couldn’t write a submission for this week’s theme; yesterday I wrote 55 minutes along the lines of “ache”…and I just couldn’t go there again.
IF you have time………..you’ll understand <3.
http://www.pensieve.me/2012/03/three-misses.html
Beautiful words, Lisa-Jo. The ache of motherhood as we watch these babies grow and become. My youngest is only 2 but already it feels as if she may as well be 10… The time has passed so quickly.
Oh, how lovely! A gorgeous post.
It seems like baby-hood is far away from me, but your words brought it all back and my eyes watered. Everyone told me to enjoy those years and that they would pass quickly; no regrets, but I could have savored so much more. Thanks for reminding me, and today I’ll soak them up.
favorite part of this post…
“Pst, your hair looks awesome! Happy Friday.” (if you could only see…) I’m so glad I subscribe to your awesomeness!
Lisa-Jo, I have been reading here for awhile now but have never commented. I so appreciate the candor with which you write. My own daughter (my first child) will also turn one at the end of this month, and so much of what you write resonates in my own heart and soul. Some days my heart feels as though it might beat out of my chest because my feelings are so strong for her. “We will grow up together.” Yes. From one aching heart to another, thank you for your words.
Yes, it’s the kind of good that aches, isn’t it? Congrats to you and your baby – here’s to a whole nother year of wonder!!
PS: Thanks for being brave and stepping into the comment box today
Beautiful. Makes me want to go and hug my 3 daughters! But two are at school. I probably shouldn’t walk in just to hug them.
The absolute sweetness of little girl babies, from their cherubic expressions right down to their adorable chubby little feet!
I am so glad that God blessed you with a daughter into whom you can lavishly pour that healing balm of love.
Thanks so much for sharing your journey and heart with us.
This is so beautiful. My baby daughter will turn 6 years old in 2 months time and I ache for the years gone by and also the years to come as we grow and learn together. It is so precious to enjoy her each and every stage and to stay in the moment. Daughter ~ powerful word that!
I could never figure out what the expression, “hurt so good” meant. It was a lot of foolishness until I had my first child.
Got a baby with those same sweet blue eyes.
Thanks for your encouragement to write- even it is just 5 minutes! 
So beautiful! I can completely relate to this one.
Beautiful – our children give us so much. I cannot imagine life without mine.
Oh irrational is right. Like I could totally squeeze their guts right out. You know what I’m saying? Like you just can’t stand how much you love them and you just want to squish ‘em? I love the thought of God feeling the same way about me. Like He can hardly stand it and wants to squeeze my guts right out because He loves me so much. Some days it’s hard to accept, but when I allow myself to go there, it makes me goose-bumpy.
I love this!
Yes, it’s the kind of crazy love that scares me sometimes it’s so strong. Wild, this motherhood bear that lives in each of us.
Beautiful!
I love this line, “Whole years of my life have been redeemed in this first year of hers.”
My littlest turns one in a couple days.
Happy Friday!
Oh happiest of birthdays to you both!!
Thanks. They grow up too fast, don’t they? My oldest is ten already. Wasn’t it yesterday that number didn’t have a zero?
oh, Lisa-Jo,
loved this:”I love her in irrational ways.”–gorgeous writing here. just stopped me right in my tracks–and you did this in 5 min? beautiful–i LOVE this writing like we can fly–oh, i look SO forward to Fridays now–it is such a good relief for me in the midst of so much hashed and re-hashed, grueling writing. and it just makes me so stinkin’ happy that im going to get to zip through the link-up and read everyone’s 5 minutes and encourage them, too, to write like they can fly!
love the way you look at your daughter–i know, too, about wanting to freeze-frame her every move–you inspire me to just be. in. the. moment with them.
blessings to you! thanks so much for this opporunity to have fun!
Your words take me back ~ almost 17 years ~ when I held my firstborn daughter. What a gift of trust, bestowed by the Father. I called her my “little lump of love” as I experienced a depth of love I had never known before. And to think, that somehow God loves this little lump of love even more than I do, and that is how much He loves me too.
I understand why He goes by the name “Father.” While my own earthly father has let me down, it’s in my love for my children that I understand His love for me. And it heals me.
Oh, I know this ache well. Because, they do grow way to fast and too often I wish I could push pause and relish in a moment forever.
That seriously made me cry! Happy birthday to Zoe! Little do you know, sweet girl, that you *already* have thousands of women being encouraged by your life. May God bless you and keep you this next year as well!
I don’t know why I allow myself to go weeks without linking up…..I LOVE them!
Today the timing to the prompt was on time….
My ache is fresh!
Goodnight!
you are incredibly blessed… i love the way you articulated the special bond of a mother and daughter.
my recent post: ache
Dear Lisa Jo,
This is such a lovely post. My baby girl turned 1 on Tuesday and it felt momentous.
Thank you for your words of encouragement.
Felicity x
My Judah squat-dances too.
How precious they are.