Three days a week I commute the thirty or so minutes to work with my daughter Adi. She attends preschool in the same town as my school. We listen to the soundtrack of the week, today’s pick was Trolls. She likes to ride with the window down and she isn’t much of a conversationalist before 7am-when we are driving. We like to take guesses on whether the four horses will be out at the barn we pass by. We think the horses like to sleep in since we are more likely to see them on our way home, after school.
At least once during the drive, I reach my hand back and Adi puts her hand in mine as we get ready for our day. No words, just love exchanged.
This morning, Adi spoke to share of a snowman she saw and then an interesting tree branch. As I walked her into school, I asked if she could draw me the snowman and the branch, since I hadn’t seen them. To my surprise, there were two colored pencil drawings in her mailbox at pickup.
Here’s a quick poem to capture her observations and then her picture below.
I saw a branch
It looked like an elephant
One eye right here
Another one right here
Was there a trunk?
A long one…
They must have planted elephant seeds
Where There Is Joy 
“She CAN give you ideas” for writing! Of course, her words, her mind, her imagination is fascinating and inspirational! Her picture in the journal is a keeper – ohh – with the poem! The set up for the poem with the description of your routine contrasts with the creative juices Adi has flowing. Of course, love the nonverbal love exchange with the touching of the hands! Thanks for sharing!
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Enjoyed reading your post. Whilst reading it, it felt good. The warm and gentle relationship and SO much love-‘No words, just love exchanged.” The writing, illustration and poetry, worked well to share the enviable mother and daughter relationship. I looked up and read part of the title of your blog, “Seeking and rekindling joy…one day at a time,”- you just did that for me.
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So lovely Jess! Beautiful small details like I reach my hand back and we exchange love. So fun to have the trunk on a tree and on an elephant. I wished I was riding with the two of you.
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As always, I felt your love and it warms my insides. I love he imagination and her determination to share it you. Thanks for sharing it with me.
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This line is lovely: “No words, just love exchanged.” The everyday routine you capture here, along with love and unexpected wonder, is beautiful!
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For some reason I picked a different passage that struck me. I can’t yet figure out what it is that made it stand out. Maybe the simplicity. No extra words. Maybe the “of.” Maybe the surprise.
Here’s the part:
This morning, Adi spoke to share of a snowman she saw and then an interesting tree branch. As I walked her into school, I asked if she could draw me the snowman and the branch, since I hadn’t seen them. To my surprise, there were two colored pencil drawings in her mailbox at pickup.
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I love riding in the car with you and Adi. I love the way you pay such close attention to the world around you. And I LOVE the idea of planting elephant seeds. Maybe we can grow a Mabel!!! LOL!
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Your post captures those little moments with our children that can easily escape. Now you have a way to hang on to this precious moment. I hope you frame the drawing and add your poem to the bottom.
Thank you for the smiles!
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Such a sweet poem…Elephant seeds. Don’t you love the way a child’s mind works? I love the routine you share with Adi every morning. She may not remember the details, but just like her hand in yours, she will remember the love.
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They must have planted elephant seeds. 🙂 love it.
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What a beautiful post! Your daughter probably makes those commutes so much better. Thank you for sharing this small, but beautiful moment.
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Adorable! Wow, this creative observation captures the way your daughter’s mind works so beautifully!
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What an observer you have raised! Love everything about this slice: the feelings, the simplicity, the picture.
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This is lovely. I feel like I was in the car with you. The hand hold is just precious. Although those elephant seeds are just priceless!
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Look at Adi’s creative viewing of the world – and her language! Amazing! But what I love the most here is the poem you create of her words, the simplicity of her language juxtaposed with the creativity of her observation.
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Such a sweet slice. As a mom of an almost 5 year old, I am constantly pointing out horses, flags and other observations on our daily commute. Recently, she’s trying to read more street signs and acronyms on trucks, which makes my heart so happy. I love that your daughter drew a picture of her observation this morning!
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“I reach my hand back and Adi puts her hand in mine as we get ready for our day. No words, just love exchanged.” This line, paired with your description of the sweet conversation topics you two share makes this piece very intimate.
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