one last book

In the light of the moon a little egg lay on a leaf…

Read to me, mom?

It was The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

A book that I’ve owned for over twenty years. In fact, it was the very first book I ever bought – in those early days of pregnancy with my first. It sat on the shelf, moved all over and remained one of those books that I just couldn’t part with. In fact, I probably have the words memorized. Ha. I think I do.

And tonight my not so little seven year old Samuel brought a stack of books into my room for his decided sleepover.

Read a book?

I started reading. And for some reason tonight I didn’t have that oh so common in a minute that I find myself normally mumbling. For some reason I just felt the need to read. And then I picked up that Caterpillar book and tears filled my eyes.

How many years have I read this? How many moments with my kids?

As the words came out the finite reality of book reading hit my heart. The days were numbered now. No longer am I reading that caterpillar book for my oldest for whom I bought it. Now she lives on her own in an apartment in Seattle over a thousand miles from me. I’m not reading it for any of them really, and pretty soon, well, pretty soon that book will just sit on the shelf.

I’m so thankful for all the times I said yes to them.

I’m so thankful for all the times I said no to them as well.

I bet you don’t read that too often, do you? Those words about no?

But all the times I said no have made me realize just how important all the times I say yes are in life. Oh how I cherish those moments and times where I gave myself the grace to slow down and read words.

He started to look for some food…

Moms, time will pass and there will one day be one last book.

Cherish those moments where you say yes. Cherish those stories that you tell.

Because one day you will read that last page and it will be put on the shelf to stay…… and he was a beautiful butterfly.

~Rachel