Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Jane




"When I'm seven," Janie says, "I'm gonna love it, I just know it." She flops a soft-back reader on to one leg, runs her fingers over the words. "'Cause I'm studyin' to love it," she says then furrows her brow and pokes at the next sentence.

She unravels the words, one line to the next, adds commentary at the commas and periods. I draw circles on her shoulder with the tip of my finger. "Uh huh," I say, "Good job."

Lulie wriggles herself onto my lap, curls up like a kitty. Jane stops, squeezes sister's soft cheek, "Do you want to hear a story, honey?"

They giggle back and forth like a birdie in a badminton tournament until, "Okay, okay, read, Janie," and she opens her mouth and the words come out. From page, to brain, to little mouth, she's making story out of black squiggles on a page. Studyin' to love it.





Later at dinner she dresses a third baked potato in butter and cheddar and spills all over the brown table. I wipe her fragments into a pile. We bump elbows. "I made most of the mess," she comments.

"Was that you?"

"Yeah."

I kiss the top of her head.

She looks up, "All you are is just a chunk of love," she says. "To me, you are just love. If I were gonna draw you, I would just draw love." Our eyes smile at each other.

"I love you, too."

I polish potato streaks out of the table and soak in the love.








15 comments:

Michelle G said...

There may be no bigger compliment EVER. What a sweetie.

jeana said...

I think that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard. Oh my, I love that!

Susan Cowger said...

Love embodied. Yup, that's you :)

Craig and Bethany said...

Momma. Right back at ya.

Heather said...

Mmmm, those curls!
Beautifully captured story, Bethany.

Laura@OutnumberedMom said...

Oh, just soak in that love -- wallow in it! Sweet, sweet story. Precious words from a precious little one.

Blessings on your six! (We have four too, but all are boys...)

Southern Gal said...

Oh, to bottle that up and save it.

keLi said...

this girl-love melts my heart. can't wait. now: off to "study on" loving 31. help me, jane.

Loni said...

Ohh, it melts my heart when we can capture moments like this . . . thank you for sharing!

Coffee Is My Love Language said...

Chunk of love. That is the sweetest description ever.

Leslie said...

Oh, this just makes my heart burst. And your words and photos made me see it all, so clearly.

Kati patrianoceu said...

Is such deep wisdom out of an under-seven-year-old even possible?! WOW!

Mommy Emily said...

i think this is one of my favorites of yours, yet, dear bethany. what an angel girl you have. you, love. is there any better testimony that you are doing something right? oh mama-friend, these are the moments. thank you so much for linking. (ps. i haven't read that book you mentioned in the email, but it intrigues me. i think i should. xo)

Mouse and Magoo said...

Same subject;
I have to make a picture book for school. The title is "If Love was An Object." I might post the book when it's done.

I love all your conversation posts.
Meghan

Craig and Bethany said...

Oh, I'd love to see it, Meghan!