Sunday, December 5, 2010

The Chain of Trust


This Thanksgiving we tried something new. On a holiday that is all about tradition I took a giant step. I decided we would all write down something we were grateful for and make a paper chain to celebrate. I always read about making a grateful tree or other similar things and so the time was now.


My family is not your average gushy love family. No feelings are ever spoken of and actually examining a feeling even as benign as thankfulness might push some over the edge. I pressed forward and most did very well. No one flat out refused which is shocking in itself. We assembled the chain and hung it from the mantel.


Later my Lean wrote something she is thankful for and added it to the chain. She didn't want anyone to read it. I respect that. But. I really want to know what she wrote. So far I haven't peeked. I so want to know what hides in the mind of a nine year old that she wants to be anonymously thankful for.


This is something I've always wondered about myself. Will I read her diary during the tumultuous teen years? Will I monitor her phone calls and internet useage? I'm pretty sure I'll have to. It's almost a given. Something I do not look forward to. Something to dread, that invasion of privacy. Even though it's to keep the love of my life safe.


But right now she's writing good things, safe things, thankful things. And even though I wish so much to read her thoughts I am so Thankful that right at this point in time I don't need to.

9 comments:

Bee said...

You're right in the fact that it's a given. There are so many bad people out there who can fool the innocent. :o(

Bee said...

Oh! And awesome idea!

Jean Knee said...

I stole the idea off someones blog

Bijoux said...

I do not know how you have resisted. Then again, I always flip to the last chapter in every book I read.....

ReformingGeek said...

I'm thankful for moms like you, Jean Knee!

Super Happy Girl said...

ITA with ReformingGeek!

Like I always say, parenting is not for the faint of heart, and you have yours in the right place :)


Awww, group hug.

Stacey said...

That is such a a great idea!

I would REALLY want to peek too. I'm very impatient about things.

Unknown said...

That's a lovely idea. Maybe Lean will reveal her thoughts one day.

I don't have to worry about sneaking a peak at my son's literary musings. He's not a journal writer.

He was always told to "grow his sentences" in elementary school and junior high. Now at 21, he's a pretty good writer. Actually writes college essays longer than 250 words. Not that I'm counting.

Melissa said...

I'm not sure if I could resist! I love that you haven't though :)