Dreams Do Come True

My mom is always asking me for gift ideas. “What do you want for your birthday?” “Do you have any ideas for Christmas?” I never know what to tell her. A few years back, I thought of an idea and I asked my dad to build a birdhouse. Of course, my mom wanted ideas or links for the exact birdhouse I wanted. I shared a photo of a birdhouse that I had seen down by the beach. Lo and behold, for my birthday, my dad recreated my wish.

When we moved last year and transported the birdhouse with us, the bird hotel sat empty through many seasons. “Have you seen any birds?” my dad would often ask. Last week, I caught a bird sneaking in and my heart filled with happiness.

Many years ago, I saw a photo of a person who built a Little Free Library in their front yard. I loved the idea, but at the time, we lived on a street that didn’t get much traffic. I stored the idea away. Then, on our new street, I couldn’t help but notice all of the people that walk up and down daily-the perfect place for a Little Free Library. I sent my parents an unprompted photo of a random library online. “Christmas idea,” I shared.

Christmas came and went and I never even thought about the library again. But then, my birthday rolled around…and my parents surprised me with this:

My dad with his latest creation.

This past week, my dad installed my very own Little Free Library in our front yard. The week was a blur and I didn’t have time to sort through books to even add to the library. I shoved two quick books in, just as a model for our neighbors. The very next day, my husband texted. “There are people with a wheelbarrow of books filling up the library.” Over the course of the week, more and more people came. They dropped off books and took books with them. There was no sign. No announcement. People just knew what to do…and it fills my heart with happiness.

Published by Jessica Carey

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I'm a mom of three daughters and a literacy coach in CT. I love to learn and share with others.

15 thoughts on “Dreams Do Come True”

  6. I love this! These kid of book libraries are my favorites. I love having a place to pass in my books easily and to people who want them. And I sometimes find a treasure in there too! Plus, I just love how they look! And yours is so pretty! I love that people just know what to do!

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  7. This gift you e given to your neighbors brings me to tears. Honestly, you request gifts that give. The birdhouse is beautiful, but the Little Free Library is everything in this world where so many want to take our words, censor our books. Beautiful slice. 🥰

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  9. My husband is a woodworker, so I know the joy he gets from making things for our kids and grandkids. Both of these projects are lovely. I’m sure the pleasure you have from receiving them is equal to the pleasure your dad had from making them. The concept of a Free Little Library touches my heart. Maybe I’ll put the bug in hubby’s ear. Enjoy!

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  11. I love this post so much, and for many reasons. You are blessed to have your parents with you still, and to have a relationship where they listen.
    And the neighbors and the wheelbarrow? What a gift they’ve given to you and to others. In fact, you all gave each other a gift.

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  12. I’m amazed that without a sign all these people knew what to do. We have several little frees that we pass on our weekend walk, even one that’s across the street from the big free library. I can always tell that I’d like the people who live in those houses.

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