Secure Memories from old Post-it notes

Years ago, when our family was living in a double-wide trailer (a very nice one, I might add) – our oldest daughter, Alycia stuck Post-it® Notes  on the back of Bill and I.  Believe it or not, I still have those Post-it® notes today (okay, I know that it is easy to believe – just look at the name of this blog). 

These Post-it® notes read (written in ink and pencil in the handwriting of a 9-10 year old):

“This is Daddy, he loves Mommy very much.” 

“This is Mommy, she loves Daddy very much.  She is very nice.”

Simple yellow Post-it® notes written with words that I have kept now for over 15 years now.  Notice that my Post-it® has additional words — don’t you love that!  But why have I kept these 2 pieces of paper for so long?

Because, the heart of my child (and all children) wanted to be assured that her parent’s love (the root of her family) was secure.  That Dad and Mom really do love each other, are committed to each other and to making the family a safe, loving place.  It is so simple – yet so completely hard as we deal with our own selfishness.

Soon, Alycia will be celebrating another birthday; she has already moved out of our home.  In 2 short months, our middle daughter is getting married and our youngest is heading to college  - our home will be empty of children.  Bill and I will be empty nesters in our home.  I am having a hard time getting my head around what is ahead.  But I know that these simple words remain the same – Alycia, Laryssa and Audrianna’s Dad and Mom still love each other and their home is still secure.

I have no idea if Alycia remembers these old, non-sticky, slightly bent  Post-it® Notes that she stuck on her Daddy and I years ago.  But I know that the messages on these post-it notes are probably the most important messages ever written on these famous brand pieces of paper. 

“This is Daddy, he loves Mommy very much”

“This is Mommy, she loves Daddy very much”

These words really explain, what it is coming down to – just a Daddy and a Mommy together, loving each other after years of raising children.  These words promise security, purpose and the promise that no matter what else happens in life, our  family is a safe, strong, secure place and a place where there is love between a man and a woman. 

Once more, I will put these Post-it®  Notes away and someday,one of my daughters will stumble across them and wonder why I kept them.   But these Post-it® Notes are among my most prized possessions.  Precious pieces of paper are my Mother’s Paycheck  ~  continuing on as a dear memory recognized, recorded and remembered.