Let Me Hold You Longer

Anyone who knows me for more than a few minutes knows of my love of children's picture books.  Both our home and my classroom are packed with them.  I love to give them as gifts, and of course, receive them!  A friend of mine told me about this book recently and I can't stop thinking about it.  It's message is just beautiful and timely.  I'm having a bit of a hard time as K & T are growing up so quickly.  We waited so long to be parents and our first year is almost up! Just this past weekend we had to get a new diaper bag, T is moving up in clothes, shoes AND diaper sizes, while K is wearing 3 T clothes, size 8 toddler shoes and is potty training.  We are trying to capture and enjoy every moment with these little ones, but we have some occasional frustrating moments too. I keep telling myself, that we are still new at this, and there will be bumps in the road.   As I was reading this book, and wiping away the tears, I was reminded to love these bumps and celebrate not only the firsts, but the lasts. 

I'm going to share a few of the words here with you from Let Me Hold You Longer by Karen Kingsbury, and I'm happy to share my copy with you if you'd like to borrow it.  Or you can buy it here.  :) 

(warning, you may want to grab your tissues)

Long ago you came to me, a miracle of firsts; First smiles and teeth and baby steps, a sunbeam on the burst.  But one day you will move away and leave to me your past, And I will be left thinking of a lifetime of your lasts...

The last time that I held a bottle to your baby lips. The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip.  

The last time when you woke up crying, needing to be walked, When last you crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.

The last time when you ran to me, still small enough to hold.  The last time that you said you'd marry me when you grew old.  Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past- Would I have hold on longer if I'd known they were your last?

Our last adventure to the park, your final midday nap, The last time when you wore your favorite faded baseball cap.  

Your last few hours of kindergarten, those last days of first grade.  Your last at bat in Little League, last colored picture made. 

I never said good-bye to all your yesterdays long passed.  So what about tomorrow- will I recognize your lasts?

....(sigh)  and that's just the first few pages of the book!

I was so grateful that my friend shared this book with me, I just had to share it here too. I know that I'm going to hold K & T a bit longer today, and cherish those firsts and lasts.