Every now and then something happens that completely floors you and brings you back to a special place in time…You just don’t necessarily expect it to happen when emptying your kid’s backpack!
Last week I was doing my usual backpack check – you know, homework papers, scrunched up fliers, assorted junk that is sworn to be something fabulous ["But that's Jennifer's VERY SPECIAL bottle cap, Mom! She lent it to me for the week." Excellent.] When I got to Giggles’ backpack, I saw that she had gone to the library that day and flipped the book around so I could see what she picked [we're working on her NOT always picking books based on TV shows, i.e. SpongeBob or Dora] and I was totally amazed by the book she had chosen:
This may not seem particularly interesting to you at first glance, but “I Wish I Had Duck Feet” means a whole lot to me…
When my sister was 4 years old, she contracted bacterial meningitis. It was a scary, heart-wrenching time for the entire family and we were supremely blessed that a potentially fatal infection resulted in my little sister being A-OK; the only lasting effect being profound hearing loss. We spent so much time in the hospital as she battled the meningitis and then worked on recovering and I, 7 years old at the time, spent an enormous amount of time in the waiting room.
As you can imagine, a hospital waiting room is less than exciting for a little kid and I busied myself reading the meager book selection. My absolute favorite was “I Wish I Had Duck Feet.” I read it over and over and over and over and over and over for the entire 2-week span that she was hospitalized. During that uncertain and worrisome time, that book became my familiar friend.
I explained the significance of the book to my daughters last night and actually teared up a little at the thought of what could have happened. They probably thought I had a screw loose to be rambling on about this silly Dr. Seuss book but it brought back so many memories for me and was a reminder at how lucky we are to have Lisa Pizzeria with us 28 years later.
Giggles, My Sis & Chatterbox
In fact, I think I might just buy a copy for myself.
That story made me tear up a bit, too! (And I’m awfully relieved that Lucas isn’t the only one who brings home random, “special” trash!)
Geesh!!! I just got teary-eyed. What a sweet story:)
Absolutely lovely!
And how preoccupied was I that I’d never even heard of this book until now (and me a Dr. Seuss fan). I’m glad you had a ‘friend’ through that scary ordeal
Aww, thanks for sharing that childhood moment with us! Glad to hear that you sister recovered well. I remember that book vividly and it’s among the stack of Dr. Seuss books that my mother saved from my childhood.