My daughter gave me a gift today, a gift guaranteed to make me dissolve into a puddle of tears - Love You Forever, written by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Sheila McGraw. I don’t even need to open the book. One glance at the cover and I’m a goner. It’s like reading Charlotte’s Web or listening to Joni Mitchell sing The Circle Game or watching the movie, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.
I may be tough, but I’m not that tough. When it comes to those I love, I love them with all my heart.
Life is fragile and fleeting. As my father says- We are less than a speck of dust on a speck of dust on a speck of dust, ad infinitum, in the wake of God’s footsteps.
People come and people go, but like the book says, Love You Forever. Okay, I’m going to start crying all over again.
I wanted one thing out of life, one single thing, to be a mother. I’m a mother times three. And for that great gift, I’m humbled.
On a lighter note - Ya’ll remember the movie, Parenthood, with Steve Martin? I was raising three little kids when that movie came out and it was amazing how much the movie resembled our life. My kids were a little younger, but…
Even this scene was straight out of our life- it happened a number of years later, except picture my husband in Steve Martin’s place and the game was basketball. My husband coached our daughter’s underdog basketball team and they beat the undefeated previous year’s city champs in the championship game. My kids still talk about how my husband did this:
We parents are a bit meshuggeh.
Happy Mother’s Day! Love, Julia
Happy Mother’s Day, Julia!
Happy Mother’s Day Julia! I love both Parenthood (one of my favorite movies) and Love You Forever. I was given that book when my oldest son was born and I sobbed (SOBBED) every time I read. I haven’t opened it in 18 years, but I remember every image and I’m tearing up thinking about it now.
I know, Casey! The minute I saw that cover, I burst into tears! I feel your anguish!
Thanks, Amber. You too!
Happy Mother’s Day.
That is one of my fave books. I’ve got a copy as well. I first read it as a child in elementary school.
Thanks, Savannah. Did the book make you cry? Totally makes me cry!
Jim and I just came back from an elegant brunch at The Craftwood Inn (you have to know Manitou Springs, CO to know how wonderful this is). Our waiter was adorable (his dimpled smile reminded me so much of our son-in-law, except he wasn’t wearing the cute SWAT cop uniform). I had a fancy-dancy drink that, halfway through, our waiter accidentally tipped over while pouring Jim’s coffee. The waiter was so embarrassed, the table was a little damp, and I was fine…especially when he brought another even fancier drink. A big sister bullied her baby brother at the next table, and two middleschool boys raided the gourmet 4-layer chocolate and cream and raspberry cakes, much to their mother’s chagrin. It was a perfect brunch because the day began with a perfect phone call from Kansas, grandchildren singing (interjecting cha-cha-cha at the end of each line) and our daughter reminding us that next week we’d really celebrate when we’re all together. Ah, that message, that part of life, does make everything perfect. Happy Mother’s Day to you, Julia, from one grateful mom to another.
Great clip, Julia. Thanks for sharing.
What a perfect gift from your daughter.
Happy Mother’s Day, Julia. You’re the best.
Happy Mother’s Day, Julia!
Good for your hubby! I just got back from Nat’s soccer game…I’m known as “the mom who never stops cheering”….hee hee! (I think Nat would like to leave me at home.)
Well, Penny, that’s what we moms do. Cheer! Now if only I could still do a back flip! Happy Mother’s Day!
Thanks, Sandra and Happy Mother’s Day!
What a great Mother’s Day, Marilyn! Nice that you get to be together very soon. And thanks! Happy almost over Mother’s Day to you too!
My 5-year-old’s Pre-K class had a Mother’s Day tea on Friday. After the kids gave us hand-made gifts and serenaded us with a selection of songs that included - I kid you not - What a Wonderful World, the teacher then made us all sit and listen to her read Love You Forever. She started sobbing on the last page. It was cruel. CRUEL. It is physically impossible to read that book without crying, and I just don’t think that’s fair. A person ought to have a fighting chance. I don’t even think it’s a very good book, but I still ended up all blotchy.
Lovely post. Thank you
Dear Sarah, yes, it’s not fair. There is no way to read that book without dissolving into a puddle of tears. You’re right, it’s not a very good book, it’s just a crying book.