The Tall Book

I went out shopping today with Jack and a lady at the store asked me what books I read to my son. She was hoping to get me to buy one of the books in her store. Immediately my mind thought of "The Tall Book" which my dad read to me at night before bedtime. It was (and still is) my favorite children's book full of stories, such as Goldilocks and The Three Bears and The Gingerbread Man. This books hold special memories and I hope my dad knows how much I loved our story times together. My mom spoke to me about something the other day which made an impact (not an uncommon thing...she always has good advice). I was apologizing ahead of time for correcting her or changing something she did when she arrived later this week and was taking care of Jack. In other words, I didn't want her to be offended if I had my own way of doing things for Jack. I do have some OCD tendencies, and that's the truth. She of course said no big deal, every mother has their way of doing things. She did however caution me to embrace the difference between how I do things and how Kurt does things and that our children will learn to be more flexible and learn to appreciate the differences between us. She felt that she had not done this with us and that we grew up only liking "how mom does it". I am trying very hard not to obsess over how Kurt does things now, for example, giving Jack a bath does not have to be done exactly the same way that I do it (as long as he cleans Jack's ears of course!). I enjoy how Kurt interacts with Jack, the way he sings to him and makes up lyrics when he doesn't know the words, the way he holds him close to his chest and rests his chin on Jack's head, the way he makes a big deal over poopy diapers so that Jack will smile. I love Kurt as a father. I am thankful to have a mother who is so insightful. And I am thankful for the differences between my mom and dad and I love how my dad read books to me! Thank you dad for those special times. At one point I thought I lost "The Tall Book". But, alas it was found and I have been reading it to Jack ever since.