Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Letters to Mothers

The Mother Letter Project has been showing up everywhere I look lately--have you seen it? I often brag on my incredible husband, but I have to acknowledge that the man who conceived this project has a solid bid for World's Second Best Husband.

The concept is simple but wonderful. In a desire to forego materialism and keep Christmas simple yet meaningful, he is creating a gift for his wife: letters from mothers. He explains:

I am creating my wife’s Christmas present-the Mother Letter Project. Simply stated, I am collecting a series of “open letters” from mothers, to mothers. Share your stories—no matter how raw or difficult. Share you concerns—no matter how foolish they may seem. Share your wisdom—no matter how you came by it. Share your mother story. The only request? Start the letter “Dear Mother” and sign it. I will compile all of the letters in a Christmas book for my wife. If you share a letter here or by email (motherletter@gmail.com) before Christmas, you'll get your own copy of the letters.

Shannon at Rocks in My Dryer, whom he contacted to help spread the word, provides a few more details:

His wife is the mother of small children, a season of life often fraught with discouragement and exhaustion. He began asking some mothers he knew in real life to submit letters of encouragement to her, sharing their best bits of motherhood wisdom. He planned to collect the letters to give to her Christmas morning.

[His] idea was well-received by friends, but he began to realize his "mother network" was fairly small. He wanted to broaden the scope of his idea and find a way for more women to encourage his wife.

The Mother Letter Project was born.

Broaden the scope, indeed--I can't even fathom how many letters he has received or will continue to receive! This thing has exploded as only Internet phenomena can.

Ann Kroeker, offering her own letter this week, explains why YOU should write a letter:

As his invitation has spread across the mama-blogosphere, moms are offering what bits of wisdom and insight they’ve gained thus far in their parenting adventure. And I can’t help but think...that all the different stories and bits of advice are a reminder that motherhood is a multi-faceted, personal-yet-communal experience. Many stories should be told, because the specifics of one personal revelation may be just what’s needed for another mom to be encouraged.

And now it's time for me to stop blogging and start my letter. If you write one of your own, post the link in the comments!

2 comments:

Mother Letter said...

I'll give you a letter count, since you quandered.

420. Keep them coming! I am loving every one and my wife certainly will.

Thank you so much for plugging this. I look forward to the letters from your peeps.

Anonymous said...

Hey, it's nice to see the count from Mr. Mother Letter!

Can't wait to read *your* Mother Letter -- be sure to post it!