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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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