Did I Tell You?

I have a little domestic improvement project going on at our house...a kitchen/den thing.

You know the expression "It gets worse before it gets better"?

Well, it is worse. Here. In my kitchen/den. Not better.

Yet.

In fact, all the stuff from the cabinets, shelves and bookcases, pantry, island and drawers has been in the middle of the dining room floor. Since January 1st.

We have been making coffee in the dining room.

The dining room is also where my wooden spoons are. And my spatulas. And my salt and pepper shakers.

I made a promise to myself that I would go through ALL THE STUFF before I put it back. No more chipped plates, weird electronic cords, half finished art projects, broken calculators or Latin dictionaries are going back in my beautifully redecorated kitchen/den!

Does anyone use a dictionary anymore? I mean with spellcheck and all....anyway, I have at least 10 of them so I decided to get rid of the Latin one. This is progress!

(Note: No one has studied Latin in this house in 8 years.)

Back to picking through my STUFF....

I found duplicate copies of a booklet called Did I Tell You? by Elizabeth Knapp.

I think I bought them in 1996.

One for each of my girls.

I needed to hang on to them for a while since they couldn't read in 1996 and they are meant for older daughters. I have carried them with me through several moves. Saving them and then forgetting where I put them.

They were in my kitchen/den cabinets.

It is a beautiful book(let).

Now that you are almost grown, I look back and ask myself - Did I tell you?

Did I tell you to laugh, to dance, to sing? There is a lot in life that is hard, but take it as it comes and find the good...and make time to dance!

Did I tell you to serve other people if only in a small way. There is growth and satisfaction in being part of something larger than yourself and your life will be richer knowing this.

Did I tell you to be bold...be cautious...love unconditionally...be courteous...work for what you believe...


Did I tell you?


There is more, but I don't want to spoil it for my beautiful daughters.

I hope they listen to these wise words.

If there is one thing I know for certain, it is that I want for them a good life.

My family. Is my life.

Thank you, God.

Didn't mean to leave little Michael out....

Who knows what else I might find in the dining room floor! I hope it is a little magic fairy that will finish the job with a wave of its wand!

More later...

~J