Hello to all my sweet Farmgirl friends!
I have been pondering this blog post for two weeks and thinking (like I usually do) of what I’d like to share with you. But this month… what I have to share is a little different than my normal.
What I’d like to share with you today is a little personal. But I wonder if maybe we can all relate… so I felt moved to talk about it. (And keep reading because there’s a surprise at the end of this post!). So here is where my thoughts have been….
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My mother just turned 89 and for those of you that have read my blog posts here since the beginning, you “know” my mom… I’ve written about her a lot. Mom has always been a hardworking, joyful, “never complains” woman. But here’s the thing. Four years ago she lost my Dad and somehow she lost a lot of her joy that day too. It is very hard to see her struggling to think of others, failing to find joy in big or little things, and struggling to be interested in anything.
A few days ago I told her it is time for a happiness challenge: time to think of others and let them know, time to recognize that everyone has “something” that is big and heavy in their lives. We all have burdens that we are carrying right? I have one that I have never shared here… and maybe today isn’t the day to share… but here it is: my husband was diagnosed 5 years ago with Parkinson’s Disease. I have my days that are just a complete and total meltdown and it takes my adult kids to pull me out of it. But mostly my days are still full of joy and laughter, my husband and I still work on things we enjoy on our farm, still push ourselves to be joyful and eager for each day. And I never take those days for granted. But life is a challenge for all of us.
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So the place I’m trying to park my thoughts is in the place of thankfulness. In my evening phone visit with my Mom I gave her a challenge that I said I would do as well. Our challenge? We will make a list of everyone that we love, think of, and want to let them know. Whether they are life long friends, family or just acquaintances we will make the list. And everyday we will send a letter in the mail to one person. We will work our way down the list, adding to it as we think of others. (And texts and phone calls do not count… it has to be a letter sent in the mail!)
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I’m happy to tell you that my mom was so excited she was immediately making her list. I’m not as excited because I recognize that I have an absolutely full plate and I just piled more on it (haha!!!). However, I AM actually happy about it because I am aware of the need to think beyond myself and I have so many people I think about and love. And I began my list almost as quickly as my Momma did!
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Day three and I have to admit that not only is it fun, it only takes a few minutes!
So I’d love to challenge you all to do the same! I’m wondering this: what if we all start today? And in one month from now maybe we can compare notes. What did we learn from it? What did we gain from it? How was it received by others?
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And here is the surprise at the end of the post: since I have not done a giveaway here in quite a few months… I am going to offer a giveaway! I have taken some of my favorite photos from our flower garden and turned them into blank stationary cards. Two very lucky readers will get a pack of cards to use for their own “Lift Someone Up” list.
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Find a favorite, relaxing spot and soak up the time to write a quick (or long) letter. Check that one off your list and relax as you think of others you might want to add! My favorite spot to sit and relax and write a letter is my porch bed!
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I would also like to acknowledge that I know stamps are not cheap. I recognize that for some that might be an expense that just isn’t feasible right now. But maybe one letter a week would work for you. You just adjust it as you can afford, and have time for. (I cleaned out a basket on my desk recently and there were Forever stamps there that I had purchased years ago and since they are the Forever stamps, then it doesn’t matter if you purchased them when stamps were 35 cents… they are still good for today’s postage. Keep that in mind in case you might have some buried somewhere on your desk! Smile!)
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All you have to do to enter the giveaway is to leave me a comment here letting me know this: are you up for the “Lift Someone Up” challenge? And if so, who will be the first person on your list? I’d love to have each and every one of you Farmgirl readers on the top of my list!!! And since I do not have the ability to write each of you a letter; this is my huge thank you to you for all the love, encouragement, and care that you have shown me through the years by commenting and encouraging me in every blog post! You honestly do not know how much it means to me. Lets get started lifting each other up!
Until our gravel roads cross again… so long.
Dori
What a wonderful blog and inspiration to all of us. Your Mom’s quilt is beautiful. I love it!! I find so much joy in saying a kind word or a special deed to at least one person a day so I love your challenge. I will add the card writing to my own daily challenge. Loving others even strangers makes the world a better place. Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing about your husband. You are right about each person has their own challenges and by sharing them we know that we are not alone but together facing them. Sending lots of love to you.
Pamela,
Thank you for your kind words. They make a difference in our day don’t they? And YAY, I’m happy you’re joining the challenge! I had a kazillion things to do today (and did them!) but managed to relax out on my porch bed for 15 minutes and write a little note while I was there!!!
Hugs,
~ Dori ~
Oh how timely this fun challenge is! I was just thinking of starting a “what I’m thankful for you for” list this past week and that I’d start with my 91 year old cousin (I call her Auntie)! She’s our family queen/treasurer/historian and is so loved by our entire family. She absolutely tops my list!
Dear Sabrena,
Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!! And I love your description of your 91 year old cousin! What an amazing lady!
Hugs,
~ Dori ~
I love this challenge! Recent family members have lost their loved ones so they’ll top my list, they need a postal “hug”, thank you for sharing your challenge & will think often of you & your husband-the view off your porch is breath taking-thank you for sharing it!
Many gentle hugs
I just returned from a Delta Kappa Gamma Conference (a philanthropic organization composed of women educations). Over 100 strong, smart women who dedicated their lives to educating the future leaders of our world. Many have faced challenges — health issues, job loss, funding cuts, children worries. I will definitely start with this list of women who have been part of this organization for 50+ years, as well as those who are new educators who need a “lifting up.” Thanks fo much for the idea!
I love this idea, i have a friend who I text every morning, and she texts me, her pictures and words are the best, and I tell her that, but now I will write her a letter and tell how much her Good Morning, quotes and pictures mean to me. THANK YOU !!!
I am definitely up for the “Lift Someone Up” challenge. My husband had a kidney transplant one year ago and I just finished writing thank you notes to all the people that have walked beside us through this journey. It was amazing to see the number of people that helped us as we went through the process of getting on the transplant list & then the journey of his healing over the last year. I love receiving snail mail & look forward to sending notes to loved ones mail boxes for a bit of a suprise.
Good morning from Nunica, MI! I’ve always been a fan of handwritten letters/notes so I love your idea! My mind is already working on everyone I’ll be putting on my list! I know I love to get a personal little note in the mail. It’s just makes you feel special and I want to do that for others also! Your mom’s quilt just oozes 💕 love! I hope to pass on my love through the notes I’ll be sending out thanks to your idea! Love from Michigan 🌻
Yes, I am up for the challenge! Great idea and I’m right there with you with an overflowing life of responsibilities and events pulling me in all directions. This feels like an opportunity to pause, think of others, and be thankful. I’m in! My first letter will go to my dear friend. We meet every Tuesday to support eachother in our lives and she has walked along side me through a lot over the past two years. Thank you for sharing your own story and this thoughtful challenege.
Thank you! This is the inspiration I needed and a wonderful use of the notecards I’ve collected over the years.
Thank you for this. It might be the light to pull my mom out of her darkness. We lost my dad threecyears ago, and she has descended into a deep depression, having been with my dad 64 years. On top of that, she is not well. I am going to try this with her, because I have been stressed out trying to care for her, and manage my own life. Hopefully this will bring her some joy. Thank you for the thoughtful idea.
What a wonderful challenge! How can we not have joy while lifting one another up. The picture of your mom with her quilt is just beautiful. I would love to do this challenge and I think I would have to top my list with my cousin, she is more like a big sister/mom to me. She is actually the generation before me even though we are cousins. . Thank you so much for sharing and encouraging us to do this!
What a wonderful idea! So few people write letters nowadays. I’ll start with my mom who just had her 97th birthday. She is such an inspiration. We call her the Welcome Wagon Committee of one in the retirement community where she lives.
My second will be my younger sister who is just finishing treatments for melanoma. Her faith is so strong.
Thank you for this challenge!
Connie
What a lovely idea! So often we get caught up in the busyness of life that we forget to be grateful and find joy in the people that are actually in it. I think my first letter is going to go to my Mom. She passed away at the end of February, but there were things that even though we had a lovely relationship, I never got to say. I won’t be able to mail it, but I would love to write it. Thank you again for the challenge and I look forward to it.
Dear Dori, although i’ve never written you a comment before.I’ve read your blog fairly often. I felt compelled to answer you on this one though, because of a personal experience. My husband and I were in a near fatal accident this January and we have been hospitalized and then in rehab and specialized nursing for 2 months before, we were able to return home. During this time, i felt compelled to express to all of my doctors, nurses caretakers, custodians, and everyone who walked into my room, how much they were valued and how they were appreciated for their services to other people. It cost me ao little and yet meant a lot to those who are often not appreciated and are under stress. I will begin to write notes when I get full use of my arm again. Thank you for giving us a wonderful challenge.
Dori,
Thank you. I needed this to shake me out of a struggle I have been experiencing since my mother’s death on February 1st. I will start my list today.
What a great idea! Bravo
This challenge sounds awesome. Even tho I lost my husband of 49 years a week ago, this would keep me busy along with the rest I have to do. I love writing letters, even the generation after me have their phones in their hands all the time. Maybe i can encourage them to do this also. Your mothers quilt is beautiful.
I always love your blog posts…this is a great idea! It’s easy to get stuck in our own little box and think that we’re the only ones who are dealing with struggles but we’re not. I think that lifting each other up would help to lift ourselves up as well. I will keep your family in my prayers:).
P. S. I was going to ask where you found your lovely cards! Haha! Very pretty!
Thank you so much for this wonderful and heartfelt post. I absolutely love your idea and plan to start today! I am going to encourage my mom to do it as well. You are an inspiration!
At our church, I was on a committee that just finished writing notes and mailing them to EVERYONE in our congregation. At first I grumbled a bit to myself saying, when am I going to find the time and what am I going to write. But you know, after I got started, it got easier and easier. All of us on our committe received replies from those we wrote to about how they loved our notes and how much they enjoyed the kind words we had to say.
So, yes, this is a great plan for everyone.
Thank you, Dori, for all your blogs.
Peggy King, Spokane, Washington
This is perfect timing! I was just going through the badge list to find a couple more to get started on. I was thinking about finishing up the farmgirl gratitude one. To complete the expert level you need to send 40 letters to those you appreciate the most. Reading your blog today inspired me to get to it! My first letter won’t be mailed though, it’ll go to my husband. And rather than finding a list of 40, I’ll take your approach and just sit down and make a list. Thank you for helping us all to remember the joy we find by lifting up others!
What a lovely challenge! I’ve been meaning to call and check on a dear family member, so here’s my “stop and do it now” cue. Thank you so much for sharing.
Hi, I have enjoyed the “MaryJane’s Farm” publication for a very long time and was so sorry to see it canceled, discontinued by the former publishers. I am not much of a tech person, very old-fashioned and very analog. I love correspondence and “snail mail.” I love this “Lift someone up” project/challenge. Please enter me into the drawing, I love stationery and cards, especially of real places, handmade. My first card, letter is going to my dear friend, Sue Swain.
Dori! How perfect is the timing of your post!
My husband’s daughter was visiting from the UK this past week and before that my grandbabies and my daughter. Listening to them and thier life stories tugged at my heart! Im surrounded by friends and family just trying to make ends meet, trials, sickness and am so saddened. I’ve been wanting to create little pieces of art, painting atc’s and writing encouraging words on the backs and sending them or giving them to people, strangers included, to help bring a smile or encouraging word! I reading your posts this morning and ready to write my list! I feel the spark of excitement alongside of yours!
The quilt is gorgeous, the cards you’ve made, quite beautiful. Im sure those on your lust will smile and feel cared about and ‘seen’! Thank you for such an inspiring post and I also liked what Pam/above said! Blessings!
Dianna you post is so heartwarming, thank you for sharing💕
I have recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. Turning 69 in a few weeks, this has turned into quite a shock. The treatments have keep me home and very inactive. I am going to take your challenge and send a letter to folks who have made a difference in my life and I have not taken time to tell them. Old bosses, kids I used to babysit, old neighbors. What fun it will be to send a memory and a smile. Thank you for such a good idea.
Doris, thank you for reminding me of the Joy and Inner Peace that can come from sending a Postal Mail note to someone. I will write 2 today and send them in tomorrow’s mail! (Today is Sunday.) Your note took my mind from “self” to “others” where it belongs! 🧡
Dorie, thank you for reminding me of the Joy and Inner Peace that can come from sending a Postal Mail note to someone. I will write 2 today and send them in tomorrow’s mail! (Today is Sunday.) Your note took my mind from “self” to “others” where it belongs! 🧡
I love to make cards and have enough supplies to make 100’s. I thought I would just send cards out randomly to people in the community. My sister pointed out that I would be causing more “anxs” than joy to receive a card from a stranger. Might think I am stalking, so I laid that idea aside. I think I’ll go with your idea of a list of people who know me. Thanks for sharing a bit of what your day looks like with the needs of another.
Good Morning, the weather looks perfect for finishing up my garden remodel chores today as I sit outside, sip my coffee, and catch up on all the things in my little world. Your challenge has reminded me that I love to tell my aunt about my cucumber plan and get her advice on my soil modifications last year. Im in no hurry for suggestions, I have lots of other chores to work on. Some good ol fashioned snail mail would brighten her day. I’ll write her a letter. Also we have a farm girl in my local group who is having a surgery this week, I can mail her a letter and a smile to keep her company as she heals. My list is growing lol Thank you for be so thoughtful and reminding me that there always a few extra minutes to reach out to loved ones in a leasure enjoyable fashion. Take Care
Oh Dori, thank you so much for the lovely and heartfelt blog. Thank you for always sharing your Mom with us and now sharing with us your husband’s medical condition and how you as a couple are handling it. Thank you.
I will love to do your challenge and the first letter I will write is to my Birth Mother who I lost when I was 4 years old, I am now 70. I still miss my Mom every single day and I have never forgotten her. I know she will see my letter so full of love for her. She is always with me so I will write her first and go from there.
Thank you for the challenge and for always being there.
Big Farmgirl Hugs,
Debbie
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Dori, I will be honest with you, I have been feeling sorry for myself as I have become limited in my physical movements from having a sickness that made me weak unable to walk without a walker or a cane and so far physical therapy hasn’t helped me to get back to my normal abilities. But I have talked with others who are worse off than I am and I’ve seen others who are worse off than I am and who just keep on going regardless of how they feel about their limitations. They are the inspiration to keep on trying to get better and your idea to uplift others is also inspiring to help others who need an encouraging word in certain times. I am sure we all get depressed with our circumstances and could use a kind and helpful word at an exceptionally hard moment of our life, so I am going to work at this for a while until I run out of cards, stamps and energy. Thank you for sharing and God Bless you and your Mom and all who read this.
Dori, I forgot to tell you I’m 81 years young, and the person I will send the first one to, is my good friend, Vickie who has always been there for me, and who has a mom living with her that just turned 100 years young and gets around as good as I do with her cane. Love you and all who can relate to needing an encouraging word.
This sounds like a fun idea! People just don’t send letters in the mail anymore. I used to love to send out letters to friends and family. I think the first letter I will send will be to a friend I haven’t seen in years.
What a beautiful idea and part of the beauty is that it works both ways. We are lifted up as we lift up others. I recently read a book with a similar idea. called the “The Gift of Graditude”. The author wrote a thank you note once a day for a year and it changed his life. I’m up for the challenge and I’m also lifting you, your family and dear mother up in prayer. We need each other as everyone has burdens and struggles and we need the gift of joy in our lives. My daily devotion this morning was from 1 Thessalonians 5:11. “Encourage one another and build each other up”. I don’t think that was an accident. Oh yes, it made me smile!
Thank you for the challenge,Yes I will be doing it. Great idea!
My first letter will be to my sister!
Love,
Charlene
I really enjoy setting down with my coffee and reading the Sunday Farm Girl. I grew up as a farm girl in Ok. The Lift Someone Up challenge is an incredible way to reach out and let someone know you love them and that they are special to you. What a lift for a depressed or lonely person to receive a card with a thoughtful, heartfelt message.
Dear Dori,
I am in for the “Lift Someone up List”. The first person on my list is 103 year old Anne Pritchett. I met her at church about 20 years ago. I send her e-cards on holidays and birthday cards on her birthday in May. I will write a letter to her today.
How wonderful! I did this a few years ago and was so blessed by it. Time to do it again! Thanks for the nudge😉 My first note will be to a special elderly friend in Pennsylvania. We met at a Precepts Ministry conference in Chattanooga years ago , and though we’ve never gotten to see each other again, we have remained close friends. She has the same first and last name as my mother. Letter coming your way Gladys!
I just recently discovered you! You are truly my kind of a person 🙂 love your ideas, projects, way of writing, content, the bright, cheerful fabrics you use, etc. What is the name of the pattern of the quilt your mom made in the pic?
Life happens and haven’t been able to call a 99 yr. old neighbor (now in Assisted Living not close to us), so he will be the Lift Someone Up person this week.
Greatttt idea. Keep smiling.
What a beautiful response to a wonderful person to get us all in a challenge !
i
I have two cousins on either side of my parents families. We have been in touch since the two of us were 13 and almost in touch the same age. I am a native California girl and both of my cousins are in the states of Missouri and Illinois. We are now in our 70’s and it has been great!
I will pass this challenge on to them. I think they may be interested in joining in.
I am 77 have a small homestead with the remainder of our family LaMancha dairy goats that was a 4-H project run a muck since 1983.
I am a widow since 2018 and live now in a new area of the Sierra Nevada’s. Along with chickens, a garden of course and two Shetland sheep to feed my fiber addition with a spinning wheel and loom.
Hi, Dori!
I am up for the challenge. The first person on my list is my oldest Daughter, Audra.
She is going through a great deal right now. I want to let her know how loved she is and
That I am beside her 100%
I am definitely up for the challenge – it’s not only young people who tend to choose an unduly or text message over a phone call or a written letter – I find myself doing that, too at the age of 74 – the first person I will send a letter to is my dear friend Kim in St. Marie’s, ID – my former neighbor – we talk by text every single day but zI j ow receiving a. And written letter from me would surely brighten her day – what a great plan you came up with!
Dear Dori,
I have been recently going through a lot of rejection from/atives and I have been struggling to find joy. I always tell people when you are feeling down to reach out and do things for others. Unfortunately, I have left myself in a position where I am not taking my own advice. The first person I am going to reach out to is my husband. He is my Rock and my joy. Lately I have not been much fun to be around. He’s always the first to grab a pile of Kleenex when I’m unable to contain my weeping. He is the one that always gets the mail, so I am going to write him a letter. My list is long behind his name. Thank you for the reminder. Let us find joy together in this sometimes painful and tumultuous world.
Hugs
Jenny
I think this is a wonderful idea. I love sending notes and cards and I am definitely up to the task. Getting started on my list right away.
I love this idea. I have quite a few people to put on my list but I am starting with a cousin who is going through some health issues. If I can write a letter to him that is half as nice as the one his wife writes I will count that as a very bit score.
What a wonderful idea. Can’t wait to get started. Your mom’s quilt is beautiful!
Thank you for sharing. From Connecticut
Dori, this is a wonderful idea and I will join in. I make cards and try to send them but this will help me be more focused about it.
I, too, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease . . . in June 2021. It has changed my life and lifestyle very significantly, bringing difficult challenges. I’m not as active on the Farmgirl Connection as before, but I’ve managed to participate a bit more in the last couple years.
Thank you so much for sharing about your mom and your idea.
CJ
I have sent two custom made cards with hand written letters recently. One was to a friend I hadn’t seen in quite some time as I had moved out of state years ago and the other to an Artist friend/teacher. Thought it would be nice to let her know that I was grateful for everything she has taught me. I thoroughly enjoyed the process. I did not dash these off, I took my time,3-4 days, I was thoughtful about my presentation…I even ended up paying quite a bit for postage as my cards were wonky sizes…giant butterfly and a giant sun…cost me $8 each. They both reached out after receiving them…thankful with joyful tears…said it made their day….and that made my day.
Your mother and the quilt are both beautiful. My sisters and I have been doing a Do Good project for 5 years now. We get together and think of something to do for each week in a year. Yep, 52 things! We check off each week as we compete the projects. It is so fun and fulfilling. We have letter writing one week every month, and it can’t be an email or text. Other things include leave a treat for mail person, flowers in church, visit a neighbor, take a bag of things to donate to a shelter, make cookies and share in honor of our parents, call a cousin we haven’t seen for a long time, feed birds or wildlife and so on. We enjoy this so much! This coming week is letter writing and I already know my recipient. I enjoy getting letters so much, and that’s why we have it 12 times a year, and your project will make So Many people happy! Keep People Smiling!