The Big Question

The lil' dude and I read this book together this week after she picked it out from the library.

I
Fell
In
Love
With
It.

It instantly became my favorite children's book ever. Which is saying a lot.

The book, by French author Wolf Erlbruch, answers the unasked question by offering pages of sweet, simple illustrations of different perspectives of life. The forward reads:

The cat, the baker, and grandma
A sailor, a stone, a duck,
Others later, and at the end of the book, 

mommy:
All give their answers
To the big question.
But who is asking?
A child, more than likely.
Growing up,
Each of us
Will find new answers.

So when, if ever, I get the question from my daughter, Mama, why am I here? I can tell her without hesitation.


Your brother says: "You're here on earth to celebrate your birthday, of course."

"Well, you came into the world to purr. And a little for the mice, too," says the cat.

The pilot says: "You're here to kiss the clouds."

And grandmamma: "Why, it's clear as day, so that I can spoil you."


The bird: "To sing your song."

The enormous man: "To eat well. That's why."

The number three: "So that one day you'll be able to count to three."

The soldier: "You are here to obey."

The dog: "I believe we're here on earth in order to bark. And sometimes also to howl at the moon."

The sailor: "To sail the seven seas."

Death: "You are here to love life."

The stone: "You're here simply to be here."

Daddy: "You're here because your mother and I love one another."

The gardener: "So that you learn patience."

The blind man: "To trust."

The baker: "You're here to get up early in the morning."

The duck: "I don't have the foggiest idea."

Your sister says: "And you're also here to love yourself."

The rabbit: "You're here to be caressed."


The boxer: "To step into the ring."

And mommy: "You're here because I love you."

Big

Your growth spurts as an infant were marked by an increased volume of sleep. I thought it was an old wives' tale, but it's true. Weeks you required a third nap or pushed your bedtime up by an hour, I knew your little body was busy growing.


But now as a toddler-girl, I miss the signs of growth until they smack me in the face. This week, after I had spent seven days away from you, just then you have grown. You refuse to sit in your booster chair at the dinner table. You no longer wear a bib. You have no patience for sippy cups. And, you clear your own dishes.


Last night you yelled to me from upstairs, Mom I have something to tell you! I was startled by the words and the urgency. Certainly, someone else in my home was speaking to me from far away. How could it possibly be you?

Mom, I have something to tell you. The Beagle has a bug bite on his knee.


You vacillate between baby and girl more than ever. In the evenings after bathtime, you request being swaddled like a baby and carried to your bed for pajama time. It's the same every night. You give me the fake "wah-wah" cry you use when you mother your dolls. You suck your thumb, and ask for your bottle. So, I talk to you in a babying voice, calling you my baby, and swaying you back and forth. It's enough for me, and right now, it's all I need.

You can spend the rest of the day being my girl.
Thanks for still being my baby.

Wordless Wednesday

Hobbies

Daddy has always been just one big kid. The way he loves animated movies and candy and sleeping in.
Sounds like someone else I know ...

Daddy remembers when he was little collecting sports sticker books. He'd buy one sticker book and the hundreds of packs of stickers that went with ... so he could complete page after page. So this summer, you two have had a project.



I never know who is more excited for new packs of stickers.



You carefully hand him each one to peel and place- while identifying the character on each and every sticker.

I can hear you saying double, that's a double, another double and those keep adding up. Filling all 100+ stickers in your book just might be your Holy Grail.



At least you have a good hunting partner.

The Good Things

You're on day five of your second vacation of the summer, lil' dude. This time, you've spent the week in Daddy's hometown with Grandpa T. and Grandma S. The reports from Camp Grandma have been nothing but good, and they make me jealous to hear all the fun you're having. Trips to the park, swimming at the pool where Daddy life-guarded, forts in the dining room, ice cream before bed, playing with your cousins and buddies, visiting your great-aunties, McDonald lunches, and most importantly, love, love, love.

Family means everything to us, and we're so grateful to have the people in our lives love you as much as we do. You make so many people proud- in how polite you are, how big your vocabulary is, how you're totally unafraid of sleeping in big beds.

It's simple. Flowers just grow best in the brightest sun and richest soil.

I hear you're going to the zoo today- it's the same zoo me and your Uncle W. grew up going to. I told Grandma S. this morning feeding the seals was always my favorite part.

She said she'll make sure you feed the seals.

Have fun, little girl.

Mama loves ... see you in two days!

What Godfathers Are Good For

Godfathers are good for spending entire Sunday afternoons with you.
Setting up castles and forts in closets.
Reading to you.
Adorning you with as many stickers as you want.
Following you around the yard.
Watching you while you swim.
Letting you eat what you wish right off their plates.



Godfathers are good for unending surprises.
Of the large scale variety.
Making all your Toy Story dreams come true.

Wordless Wednesday