Tell Her

(it means more than you might think)

This post was inspired by my friends Chelsea and Elle who spoke truth, beauty, and kindness to me on my birthday. I might be a words of affirmation girl, but I have a feeling we’re all a little bit that girl. 

—

Tell her that shade of blue makes her eyes dance and her skin glow. 
Tell her your breakfast dishes are still stacked in the sink, too, caked with syrup and ketchup. 
Tell her it’s okay for her to not be okay.
Tell her she is gold.

Text, Vox, maybe even call?!
Send a letter in the mail?!
Get coffee. Hike. Meet at a park. Get on a plane! (Okay, okay.)
Any of these scenarios will do.

Let the words spill out.
Even if you think they’re not that important.
Even if you think she already knows.
Your words could breathe hope into her tired soul.

Tell her she’s a better mother than she thinks.
Tell her you love what she’s done with her garden, her art, her work.
Tell her she’s stunning, while she carries the extra weight she despises. 
Tell her she is not an island.

Step away from your calendar, your kids, your life, and take a peek into hers. 
What do you notice?
How has she changed your world?
How has she brightened your spirits?

Tell her.

If you see something, say something!
(Homeland Security got it right.)

We spend too much time talking nonsense to ourselves.
Too much time talking on social media.
Too much time talking about other people’s lives.
What if we redirected that whirlwind of words?

What if we shifted their course 
into encouragement
into power
into love?

Be relentless in your telling.
Overbearing, even
so the truth and beauty of who she is permeates her tanned summer skin
and becomes lifeblood in her veins.

Tell her when it’s just you two.
Tell her in front of her daughter(s)
and son(s).
Tell her in front of her husband.

Let them see her eyes shine when she hears these powerful proclamations.

Do not be mistaken.
This is not fluff or flattery.
Words just to fill space. 
God knows we’re tired of the noise.

We’re not in search of mucking up sacred silence or puffing up bloated egos.
We’re in search of freeing brave beings, so they glimmer like prisms reflecting the sun.

Tell her you’re coming by with a latte.
Tell her she most certainly can pull off her new bangs.
Tell her you see how patient she is with her son.
Tell her you’ll sit with her however long she needs.

Let your kind thoughts bubble over into syllables and sentences.
Even if it’s awkward.
Even if you’re shy.
Even if words aren’t your thing. 

Tell her.