It Would Make Me Very Happy If You'd Read This Post. Thank You.

Let me tell you a little story.

Danny (not his real name, and you'll understand why in a minute) is a husband and father who wanted to do something special for his wife this Christmas.  They were both fed up with the materialistic emptiness the holidays often brought: "typical American Christmas—gizmos, gadgets, whatnots, and an oversized helping of turkey," as he calls it.

This was spurred, in part, by a trip to Africa in 2008.  When he saw the great need there, he knew he had to do something better with his money this Christmas. 

He and his wife agreed that they would spend no money on each other this year, instead sending as much as they could to the humanitarian efforts underway in the village Danny visited.  In place of material gifts to each other, they would make gifts for each other, gifts that didn't cost money--only effort and creativity.

He hatched a brilliant idea. 

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.

Danny's 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.

This is a simple blog that tells his family's story, and it invites women--strangers, friends, from all walks of life--to write a letter to his wife, encouraging her in her mothering journey.

He wrote to me to say that his wife is a faithful reader of my blog, and would I consider writing a letter for the project?

Um, well, seeing as how this is the sweetest thing I've ever heard in my whole life, YES, I will write a letter.  And not only will I write a letter, I'm going to tell every single one of you to write a letter, because did I mention that this is the sweetest thing I've ever heard in my whole life?  I can't decide which part of the story is more touching:  a husband going to such lengths to encourage his wife?  A family committed to changing the life of an African village?  A treasure trove of wisdom for mothers, all in one place?  The whole thing just makes me smile. 

Here is the blog Danny has set up to manage the project.  He has revealed as much information as he can without giving away his identity.  His wife is a participant in the blogospherre, and he doesn't want to ruin the surprise for her.  It's highly likely she is reading this very post, with no idea of the lovely gift waiting for her!

Oh, delicious irony, how I love you.

(Pssst.  If you think this might be your husband who is doing this, don't let on that you know.  Because I have corresponded with Danny, and let me tell you, your man LOVES you and is trying to crazy-hard to knock your socks off this Christmas.  Don't spoil it for him, okay?)

(And?  If it's not your husband doing this project, but you're dying to read the collection of letters, then you're in luck, because he'll e-mail you a copy of the finished document after Christmas. 

(I think everyone is going be looking all mushy at their husbands tonight.)

Though this whole thing started as a simple idea, a modest and thoughtful gift from one husband to one wife, it is quickly growing beyond that scope.  This project has the potential to encourage many mothers.  I want to be a part of it.  I hope you will too. 

If you'd like to participate in the Mother Letter Project, you can read the full instructions here.  Write a letter, even a quick one.  Encourage another mom.  Save a copy for your daughter or niece or neighbor down the street.  Heck, save a copy for you and read it back to yourself tomorrow, when you're about to pull your hair out.  If you have a blog, consider posting about this project.  Wouldn't it be fun to help Danny blow the top off this project?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a letter to write...

*update*  To answer a question that has trickled in a couple of times, yes, Danny knew ahead of time I was posting about this, and I consulted closely with him about how much information to include.  Some of you were concerned this would spoil the surprise for his wife--but don't worry, every bit of this was done with his permission and blessing.  He's actually overwhelmed by your generous response so far.  Please keep those letters rolling in!

Comments

[Michele Helms]

AHHH...What an awesome idea! This year I have asked some of the ministers that my husband loves if I can have some of their handwritten sermon notes and I am putting them in a notebook for him. There isn't anything that I could "buy" him that would mean more.

[Kathryn]

Oh, this is so awesome.. and I chuckle at the idea of "Danny's" wife writing a letter to herself! hee hee..

I"m off to check it out.

[Kimberly/Mom in the City]

That is sweet. I posted about it on my blog. I hope that he gets tons of letters!

[Danny]

Thank you so much for posting this. I'm excited to see how all this turns out.

Thank you all for you letters. Your words will be cherished.

D

[Naomi]

posting it on MY Blog as well ... darling idea and soo sooo sweet.

[Blessed]

This is AWESOME! I'm writing a letter too!

[Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam]

Wow - that is so powerful! Well, I know it's not my hubby, even if he does love me a whole lot as well. HE knows nothing about the blogosphere. :)

[Jessica]

Just got it up and running but this is going on my blog as well!!!!
How sweet!

[oh amanda]

What a cool idea! I want to do it for someone...

I'm off to check it out!

[prasti]

how very sweet. now that's a christmas gift.

[Laura L.]

This is just wonderful. What a sweet thing it is!
Now as far as I know, my husband didn't visit Africa this year... :)

[We are THAT family]

Wow. What a guy. What a project. What a way to spend my morning---writing a letter! Thanks for sharing. I love creative beautiful ideas like this!

[Adventures In Babywearing]

Oh my goodness. I love it. Am totally writing a letter and will blog about this right away!

Steph

[Robin ~ PENSIEVE]

Holy mackerel!! That touches my heart a thousand different ways! How stinkin' sweet! How amazingly thoughtful!

What a PERFECT example of KNOWING your spouse.

I feel the flames of a wildfire! Cannot wait to see the big reveal :).

Off to follow the link now!

[Pam]

I met my husband when we were both volunteering at a local homeless Center. I have written a book called Creating Happy Memories....it is available on Amazon.com
It is a book filled with memories and traditions that you can create for little or no cost....except the investment of time....we give all of the royalties to the Center's Children's Programs....please check it out....it is the perfect gift for families, new parents, grandparents etc.
Thanks you....God Bless, Pam, South Bend

[Carolina Mama]

Just beautiful! Thanks for sharing sucn an endearing story. Will write letter. :)

[laura]

This is really amazing. As a parent of older children, it is so easy to forget those early days of "fetching with no pats on the head". I have sent my letter.

[patois]

Such a sweet act of love. She must be wonderful to have a Danny.

[Memarie Lane]

won't that be funny if she writes a letter to herself!

[Gabreial W.]

What a wonderful project!

I've published it today as well. Thank you. I can't wait to see the final project.

[angela]

Great...now my boyfriend looks like a crap LOL

[Denese]

How sweet and what a wonderful husband!
We can all use encouragement. :)

It reminds me of another sweet idea a friend told me about.
A man came into the photography studio where she works. His wife loved taking pictures but had trouble getting them developed so he gathered up all the rolls of film (over 200) and had them developed and put in albums for her one Christmas.

Going to write my letter. :)

[debbie]

This is the sweetest thing ever. Thanks for letting us be part of it too.

[Crystal]

I'm getting all teary eyed reading this - it IS the sweetest thing! The Christmas spirit is alive and well!

[Linds]

Mine is done and emailed. This is such a wonderful idea!

[Sarah Taylor]

What a beautiful sentiment. I will write my letter today! Thank you for being a voice for Danny!

[Nicole]

Oh, thank you for sharing this! I don't know if I have any great words of wisdom to share, seeing as I'm in a dark place and struggling with my 3 small children right now. But maybe just knowing that other mothers also struggle is helpful. Because I MUST write a letter because I REALLY want a copy of everybody else's letters!!!! I think he should publish a book. I'd totally buy it! All the proceeds could go to the African Village.

[rachel K]

so happy to get to be a part of this! What an amazing man (and very lucky wife!).

[Happy Mommy]

I think that is the sweetest gift a husband could ever give his wife! Please tell us who Danny is after Christmas!

[mrs. imperfect]

This gift is truly the embodiment of giving. What a great guy!

[LB Moore]

This is so sweet of her hubby! I've posted about it on my blog also.

[Melene]

It was a blessing for me to write a letter. What a wonderful idea. He even responded to my email. Thanks for sharing this!

[trublubyu]

this is awesome! what a great idea. and how empowering for mothers everywhere! thank you for posting about it.

[Danny]

The letters are beautiful. Thank you for keepin' 'em coming.

Danny

[susieshomemade]

What a sweet idea!!

[megan@Hold it Up to the Light]

Tears filled my eyes as I read this post. I'm IN!! And, I'm going to post about it on my blog.....

I CAN'T WAIT to see what happens!!!

Brilliant!!!

[Cathy]

All I want to say is,

I WANT IT! I WANT IT!

SO apparently I have some work to do on my 'Christmas spirit'! lol

I try to encourage Moms every day on my blog - it is good to get re-focused, and the need truly IS so great!

Thanks for taking this on!

[designher momma]

just blogged about it and writing my letter as we speak....

http://designhermomma.blogspot.com/2008/11/for-love-of-mother.html

[TRS]

I'm thinking - with every contributing mom's permission... he should consider publishing the contributions as a book - I imagine, just in time for Mother's Day - and contribute all the proceeds to the Charity in Africa.

Wouldn't THAT be amazing?

[Jane Anne]

Too funny - I was just reading his blog last night and thinking it would wonderful if someone with a large audience could showcase his project. Thanks for doing that Shannon. This is wonderful- I love it! It is right in line with http://www.adventconspiracy.org/> Advent Conspiracy.

[Cascia @ Healthy Moms]

Wow! How romantic is that! I wish my husband was creative like Danny. I might have to participate in that letter thing as well. What a great gift.

[Kay]

Thank you SO much for sharing this with us. I've already posted about it on my own site and can't wait for a second to write my own letter. What an incredible gift for "Danny"s wife and for us all!!

[Sarah the secret blower]

http://shepherdsgrace.wordpress.com/2008/11/23/dear-mother/

talked about you and this project on my site and posted my dear mother letter there as well...

fun idea, what a smawt guy!

[Julie From Inmates]

Just posted my letter today. What an awesome undertaking. Your a sweet man, Danny! =)

[cathy davis]

This is so sweet. I still have to go to his site. How precious!

[BlapherMJ]

This is one of the most thoughtful gifts I've ever heard of. I'll be writing my letter... :-)