It’s a Curious George book. It’s the one where George goes camping and {surprise} gets into all sorts of mischief while setting up this campsite with his pal, the Man with the Yellow Hat. It’s been sitting on the table next to my couch.
For three days.
Every night before Caleb went to bed, for the last three nights, he’s asked to read that book, that blue Curious George with the curious monkey on the cover by a tent pulling on a rope trying to get the tent to stand up.
That’s been me.
Busy. Busy. Busy. Always finding the next thing to do, the next “tent” to rig up, the next email to answer, the next important item on my agenda. And so, sadly, the book sat. Next to the couch, night after night, waiting.
Momma, will you read me the George book tonight?
Momma, will you read the book this morning?
Momma, will you read to me about the camping after lunch?
Momma, how about now?
Day after day, my reply was that dreaded in a moment, and not now, and in a bit, and just a second reply that us moms utter. Over and over. Not realizing that sometimes, often, those moments don’t come.
So the book just sat.
And then a couple nights ago, as he slept soundly in his bed, I could hardly look at the book with the curious little monkey on the front. I should have read it. I should have read it yesterday, and the day before, and the day before that. It shouldn’t still be sitting there. Waiting. Waiting while my six year old sleeps in bed.
What if he decides to not ask about it in the morning? What if he forms ideas that mom is just too busy?
Enough. Enough of me and my agenda and my ideas and my important. I am put in this house at this time to be a present mom to those kids. I’m here to answer yes, and absolutely, and I’d love to read that with you, and right now to them. They are gifts and gifts need to be treasured.
The stakes that I need to drive in the ground are stakes of importance and dedication. No more throwing away nights. So I’m keeping the book out to remind me to stop saying those in a minutes to my kids and instead grabbing the now.
I’m rewriting it from now on.
And by the way, last night? I read that book.
And a couple more. 🙂
12 comments
Re-writing with you-saying yes to more-where just a few days ago-would have said -in a minute! Sending hugs-thank you for this beautiful reminder
Us moms need to be reminded every once in a while what is of the utmost importance at home…our precious kiddos! Thank you for the kind and gentle reminder. I don’t think I even realize how often I say “not right now” when I should be saying “sure, let’s!” Thanks to you I am making a promise to myself and my kids to stop and say yes more often!
Amen!
It is good to reevaluate the importance of things, and children do grow so quickly we have only limited opportunities to mold them, love them.
Precious!
Hi, first visit here in quite a while. Hope you are all doing ok.
I like your story. My youngest is a freshman in college. She asked me to read a play for English lit that she had to do a paper on. She was in one state reading it, me in another. Then we discussed it over Thanksgiving and over the phone later. Not quite the same as when she was 6, but still pretty neat.
Good post.
WB
Lovely post – I’m so glad you read the book 🙂
I read this post a few hours ago and then went about my evening as usual . . . When my 9 year old asked me to read to her at bedtime, my thoughts went back to your post . . . I happily told her yes, and she was thrilled (she was probably expecting a “maybe tomorrow, I have to go do the laundry now”). Thanks for this timely reminder!
I’m inspired. And, oh, do I feel guilty. Ugh. This feeling is heavy. I’m off to read to my little guy. Thank you.
Thanks for the reminder. gotta go read to my dc and tuck them in.
I’m dreading the day they stop wanting us to tuck them in.
I don’t know what it is but I really love Curious George! George is a monkey. He can do things we can’t do!
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Psalms 32:6-7 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
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I’m so tired of saying “not right now” or “in a minute” to my kids. I’m joining you and rewriting that story!