I noticed late last night on World Book Day, a celebration that I love, that tomorrow is IWD and that a supportive community on Substack are coming together to form a Daisy chain in celebration of IWD. I thought I was too late at nearly ten o’clock to find the inspiration to write my thoughts down. After a deep breath and a few moments of contemplation, I decided to show up, just like Mother Nature does come rain or shine. I jotted down a few words touching on how she has shaped the way I want to live my life, parent mindfully and I suppose have her in our bodies’ toolboxes.
To my children: I hope, I have taught you in your childhood how to seek out the simple pleasures of the everyday.
In the last 10 years, where possible we have tried to move away from a more commercialised life and have taken tiny steps and small celebrations towards a life more in tune with the seasons and Mother Earth.
I feel pride when one of you cries out excitedly over seasonal signs such as the first blooms from the forsythia outside the living room window to the sound of the first Cuckoo in Spring.
I know that these aren’t always the things (especially in your teenage years) that you appreciate like myself. Although the smile you have when that first cold fresh frosty air hits you in late Autumn, or you seek me out to tell me the day’s sunset is pink, or to show me large scalloped shells on the beach reminds me that we have set the foundations. I’m quite sure in time these roots of intentions will spread and you will find yourself remembering and enjoying once more a more intentional way of life and hopefully sharing it with your own family.
When we get the chance for a whole family walk in between the revision, social meet-ups and sports clubs I also see it. Your imaginations make a local walk into a micro-adventure. Daddy said only a few weeks ago that I have a magical art of turning a simple woodland walk into an adventurous day out. Seeking out nature’s treasures with a story or two, coming up with a game out of nowhere, a forage from a gorse or blackberry bush along the way and of course a warm drink in a flask and treat of some kind.
One day you will realise this magical art is in you and that a good day out is not measured by how much money you’ve spent.
In stormier and darker times, I hope you will all know the remedy. To place one foot in front of the other, seek out that warm cuppa, a slice of homemade cake, don a raincoat and get out for a plod around a lane or visit that happy green space. Looking up, down and all around for your answers or simply clearing the noise from your busy brains. Replacing the unnecessary thoughts and doubt with birdsong, seeking out the pond life from murky waters or listening to the wild geese migrating through the air to sunnier climes. You see so many problems can be solved or eased with the help of Mother Nature, noticing the simplest of glimmers in every day will become your superpower and take you to a more wholesome life. Your garden or window boxes will flourish, small switches from shop-bought to homemade and handmade will come and your life will be fuller.
You will hopefully remember the burning embers from our fire pit on the Winter solstice where you once threw your reflections and intentions into. That time we stood barefoot on the grass in the rain on that camping trip. Jars were filled with seasonal blooms, jam and other random things. Holding and treasuring a pebble, stick or pinecone is the real souvenir from your journey.
I have absolute faith that you will always be in awe of Mother Nature and hold her close in all that you do.
Love from Mummy, your slightly less impressive mother but still extremely awesome! xxxx
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Charlotte, this is so beautiful. I love how you have described the central role that Mother Earth plays in your parenting journey and your children’s lives, as inspiration, teacher and solace. I hope to be instilling this in my children too, thank you for the reminder of its importance xx
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing my post. I’m so pleased that my words touched you xx