Last week, my blogger friend Linda took the concept of a birthday list to a whole new level.
Instead of sharing a collection of items she would love to receive from her family and friends when she turned 63, she perused her blog archives and came up with, as she described them, “63 random quotes from the past five years”—all of which contain the words “love” or “I love …” in some form or fashion.
Her list of “love notes” didn’t prompt me to dig through all my own old blog posts searching for a birthday list theme of my own. But it did release a flood of thoughts about what I hold dear (to my heart and, in some cases, my stomach).
I love rain and humingbirds and jeans that fit.
I love the little wrinkles that appear on Molly’s nose when she laughs. I love the sound of Lilly’s laugh. I love Randy’s sense of humor.
I love Iowa and Colorado and Tennessee.
I love avocados and cilantro and scrambled eggs with ketchup.
I love post-it note notes and thank-you notes and lunchbox notes.
I love Narnia and Middle Earth and Mitford.
I love my family.
I love books and bookshelves and bookmarks.
I love beef stew and apple butter and homegrown tomatoes topped with cottage cheese.
I love the way God describes Himself in the book of Isaiah, and the way David talks to God in the book of Psalms.
I love a tidy kitchen, a clean bathtub, a freshly mopped tile floor.
I love hearing my girls sing as they wash dishes. I love talking to Randy when he’s working in the garage. I love the kind women who care for my mom at her nursing home.
I love spring, fall and winter.
I love lists and charts and words of affirmation.
I love people who smile, people who read, people who listen.
I love music.
I love exploring partially built houses, “dates” to Menards and watching HGTV.
I love the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the smell of hometown furniture stores, the scent of Oriental lilies.
I love chocolate cake, peanut butter ice cream and homemade cinnamon rolls.
I love typing my prayers, reading on the treadmill and texting with one finger.
I love the British Baking Championship and aqua toenail polish and eating in the dining room.
I love gardening.
I love Christmas.
I love home.
• • •
Now that you’ve read my list (which is by no means exhaustive, I might add), I’ll close with a little challenge for you. In the comments section, jot down the first few things (or more, if you like) that pop into your head when you finish the sentence “I love …” I’m looking forward to reading your responses!
♥ Lois
I love people who smile, people who read, people who listen. Click To TweetP.S. I’m linking up this week with #TeaAndWord, Let’s Have Coffee, Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, Faith on Fire, Faith ‘n Friends and Grace & Truth.
30 comments
I love that you were inspired by another writer and tried out her idea for yourself!
I may just give it a shot also…
Thanks,
~Lisa
You should do it, Lisa … it’s been fun! 🙂
I love this post! I also love my sons and how they make me laugh. I love the beach, mountains, and almost anywhere I am outside. I love taking photos, writing and reading. I could go on and on.
Thank you for this peek into you!
Yes, Mary … these things on your list make sense when I think about the pictures you post on Instagram. 🙂 Hugs, friend!
I love this post, Lois! You made me smile – and I love to smile and laugh. God bless you!
Aw … I’m glad this post made you smile, Sandra. Thanks for your kind words … they made me smile!
I love lists like this. It warmed my heart. I do something like this, usually seasonally. It’s a taking stock, of sorts. Sometimes I share it. Sometimes I don’t. Either way, it’s good for my soul.
Also, I love Yellowstone. It’s a common thread in my Iowa life, and I am grateful.
So good to hear from you this week, Natalie. I love how you describe this kind of list … “a taking stock, of sorts.” That’s exactly right. And yes … so therapeutic. 🙂
How fun! (And we have a lot in common!) I love Bible study on my back porch, singing with no one around and family time – just to name a few.
Thanks for sharing your list, Beth. Do you sing when no one’s around because you think you’re not so great at singing? That is definitely why I love to dance when no one is around! 🙂
Lois,
I love…
This list.
Close friends.
New friends.
Introvert time after a busy social week.
Laughing out loud.
Ice cream.
Good books that point me to Jesus.
Backspacing and retyping sentences until they feel right.
What a great list, Bethany. Especially that last point. 🙂 Hugs, friend!
Lois,
What an adorable picture of Molly and I could relate to your “loves” like people who smile and a nicely mopped floor – if it could only stay clean for one whole day 🙂 Blessings to you and your family 🙂
Oh my goodness, Dolly … I know what you mean about the floor staying clean. Around here, though, I’m happy if it stays clean for 30 minutes! It was great to hear from you this week, my friend!
It’s good to think about what we love on a daily basis, Lois! Thanks for sharing your list–many of which I love as well, especially the smell of coffee brewing!
I agree, Beth … writing lists like this is encouraging and therapeutic! Thanks for stopping by this past week. 🙂
I love challenges!
And comment sections of blogs!
And reading the inspiring words of friends!
Can you believer that today I just finished reading Marilyn McEntyre’s Make a List!
What a coincidence, Michele! Your list made me smile, my friend. 🙂
So many “loves” in common! I know why I look forward to these link-ups and blog posts each week:) To finish your challenge: I love carbs – um, make that bread! – and ladies Bible studies, seniors, missions and missionaries and Chick Fil A (even though I’m a vegetarian)!!
Have a great week!!
I look forward to the linkups each week too, Jennifer. Thanks for sharing your list … I could have put Chick-fil-A at the top of mine. 🙂 Since you’re a vegetarian, what do you like to eat there?
I love Jesus because He first love me, writing and reading, and real books and photographs, strolling the antiques mall, doing lunch, watching my dog sleep, my favorite perfume, the smell after the rain and the joy of listening to it, moonlight. And I may have to make a new Pinterest board.
What a great list, Rebecca! We have a lot in common … I especially share your love of real books and photos, the smell and sound of rain, and moonlight. 🙂
I love your post! We could be friends!! I love fall, cozy, and pumpkins!
Aw … thanks, Felicia. I just went over and poked around on your blog for a few minutes, and I think you are right. I definitely could be friends with someone who uses that phrase about eating an elephant in her writing. (Don’t even ask me how many times I’ve shared that line with my children!) 🙂
Such a good post, Lois! I love this idea that Linda has started and that you are continuing, and I agree with many of the items on your list.
Here are a few more of mine: I love when God works in a situation in ways so unexpected that it could only be him. I love encouraging others and being encouraged. I love a peaceful walk in a beautiful place with time to talk to God.
Thanks, Lesley! The items you’ve shared are perfect … I could add each of them to my list too!
SO many common “loves” that we have, Lois. I couldn’t decide on a favorite! Thanks for sharing your list. I read Linda’s original post as well and appreciate what she shared.
I’m not surprised that we share many of the same “loves,” Lisa. 🙂 And yes, Linda’s post was wonderful!
LOVE that you joined me in celebrating life’s joys, Lois. God is good …
😉
Yes, my friend … He definitely is. 🙂