The library book stole my feelings

by Jess Mikhail

Bea choose a book from the library last month called "I love you little monster" written by Giles Andreae and illustrated by Jess Mikhail.  As we cuddled up in bed to read it I immediately enjoyed the chubby monsters...but, by the time I had reached the end of the story I was a sniffling, emotional mess.  I kissed the top of Bea's head and whispered, "That is just the way I feel about you."  She smiled, snuggled in and fell asleep.

On Wednesday, I struggled.  The library books had to be returned.  I typed out the story.  I aim to use it for journalling on a scrapbook page someday.

This is it:

One evening, long after my sleep time
Big softly crept to my bed
And stretched out warm fingers to ruffle my hair
“I love you, my darling,” Big said 

Now, Big must have thought I was sleeping
And I didn’t open an eye.
Instead I just let the words float through my mind
Like balloons floating up through the sky.

“I love you, my Small,”  Big continued
“But there’s so much to do in the day 
That it’s hard to sit down and to make enough time
To say all of the things I should say.

And it’s funny, but now that you’re sleeping
And everything’s quiet and calm
The words seem to be much more easy to speak.”
And Big laid a soft hand on my arm.

“You’re everything I always dreamed of
You’ve got so much beauty inside
The way that you smile, that you laugh, that you dance
Makes my heart want to sing out with pride.

You live as though life’s one huge present
Unwrapping a bit every day
That’s just how we all should be living, my love
And look at you showing the way!

And sometimes I know when I scold you
You feel that I’m being unfair
But please understand that it’s just out of love,”
And Big swept back a strand of my hair.

“There are things in this life that can hurt you
They come to us all - that I know.
But they all give us chances to learn, darling Small
And they all give us chances to grow.

So when you get knocked down, my sweetheart
Look up at the sky without fear
For sometimes we need to be flat on our backs
Before starlight begins to appear.

And please, above all else remember
Keep love in your heart, little one
Reach out to the world like a beautiful flower
Stretches out to the warmth of the sun.

It’s the only sure way to be happy
The only sure way to be free.
Believe in yourself and believe in your dreams
And you’ll be what you dream you can be.”

With that, Big lay down on my pillow
And planted a kiss on my head.
“My beautiful, wonderful, glorious child
You light up my world,” Big then said.

With that, Big crept out of my bedroom
Turning round for one last little peep.
I hugged my small pillow and smiled a big smile
And then slowly I drifted to sleep.

So I'm pulling on my snowboots and I'm heading out to Amazon.  I will be returning with this book tucked beneath my arm.  If you would like it too, you can meet me here at the back of the bookshop.