And when I finally did....well, I broke down crying uncontrollably about half way through. The lump in my throat and tears in my eyes that surprisingly appeared within the first couple of pages developed into a full-blown meltdown that prevented me from reading the entire story aloud to my very confused little boy. Attributing my behavior to exhaustion, the book was shelved for a couple of years only to reappear this afternoon when my second child asked me to read it. Once again, feeling unenthusiastic about his choice and expecting a boring story, the same wave of emotion took over. And I happened to be very well-rested today. So what's the hook with this book? As a mom, it's the thought that my children will grow up one day. A big revelation? Of course not. Here's the thing....I find myself often wishing for the next phase when things will (hopefully) get easier with my kids. Kind of like the Adam Sandler movie "Click" whereby a dad possesses a remote control he uses to fast forward through all of the challenging moments in his life.

 It's those tender moments when they are asleep that I fully appreciate my children. And though some days begin with a mental countdown until bedtime...here's the rub....I can't bear the thought of them growing up and leaving me. And that is exactly where this gem of a book tugs at my heart. A simple theme is repeated from the very start to the very end of the story. A baby boy moves through different stages of his life, quickly reaching his first birthday, and other milestones, leaving an exhausted and frustrated mom in his wake. Every night while he is asleep, his mother enters his room and cradles her "baby" well beyond his young childhood years. She whispers a sweet poem over and over again. At the very end, when the mother is old and frail, they reverse positions and the son lovingly cradles his mom.

Then he returns home to hold his own daughter and recite the familiar poem. I'm not an overly emotional person...but this book has touched upon something deep within. A fear of my children moving on, of not needing me anymore (I've got to be more careful what I wish for!), of the intense love I have for them. Okay, off to quietly slip into three little bedrooms and watch my babies sleep for awhile.