Last week, I must have been cleaning the kitchen, it seems to be a never ending job…or maybe the eating is never ending. Either way, I was cleaning up in the kitchen and I overheard Adi reading to herself in the living room. I didn’t see her, but I could picture her propped on the couch, her book in her lap and her head held high, happily reading away. I could tell she was reading The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. “Come swing from my branches, the tree called to the boy.” She paused before adding more detail, I knew she was studying the pictures. I smiled to myself. It had been a while since we had read that book together. I was happy to hear how much she remembered, her storytelling voice turned on high.
Later that afternoon, after a stroll through our town’s local farmers’ market, I was trying to round the girls up for the walk home. Right on cue, we were all ready to cross the busy road and Adi was lagging behind. I turned around ready to remind her about listening and following directions- that’s when I saw her proudly standing on an old stump. I opened my mouth to tell her to get down, but before I could say a word, she raised her hands above her head and exclaimed, “this is the tree the boy loved!” Then she hopped down to join us as we crossed the street. I gave her hand three gentle squeezes as we crossed the road, our silent way of saying, “I love you.”
Where There Is Joy 
This slice has SO much power. It just says so much about you, about Adi, about the power of literature, about life. I just love it!
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What a joy to read the perfect slice today! Compact, rich in detail, full of feeling – it’s strikes the ideal balance between storytelling and evocation.
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First off, why do we have to keep feeding these children!?! Cleaning the kithcen over the summer is constant! I can picture you cleaning and listening. Running the water ever so slowly so as not to miss a word of Adi’s reading. Careful not to clank a glass or dish so you can hear her proud reading voice. Finally, turning to see her proclaim the tree as the boys. What a moment for you…! Thanks for sharing!
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This may just be the perfect slice. I agree that it has “SO much power” and is “compact, rich in detail, full of feeling…” You pulled me right into each moment from listening to Adi’s “storytelling voice turned on high” to her exclamation, “This is the tree the boy loved!” I also can’t express how much I love that you and Adi have a silent signal for “I love you.” Thanks for starting my day off so beautifully.
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What a wonderful reminder that our children can help us slow down and see our everyday surroundings in a different light. Adi seems like such an observant person. What a gift.
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A lovely series of moments. Of course I love the way Adi loves reading – and they way she LIVES reading. I also love how this little slice of life snuck in between the mundane moments – kitchen cleaning and rounding up the kids – and how you caught it anyway. I love your smile as you clean the kitchen and your silent, practiced display of love as you cross the street. I love how in two paragraphs you share so much. Thank you.
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The perfect combination of childlike wonder and the power of literature. Your post warmed my heart and put a smile on my face.
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I love this post as it reminds me of the importance of reading to our children and grandchildren. So very moving!
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This small moment is anything but! The line “her storytelling voice turned on high” made me smile and put me on alert for something big to happen. What a great way to silently signal your love for each other. Thanks for sharing your joy!
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