the days

The days are long, but the years are short.

That's what they say when referring to parenthood.

I had one of those long days today.

And yesterday.

And kind of the day before that.

You know, the kind of day where no matter how much you pick up, clean up, wipe, or scold, the day just keeps on going, going, going.

Luckily, each of these days are usually sprinkled with a little nudge from one of the kids reminding me that what I am doing is important.

Mimi came home the other day from school very excited that her teacher was reading the book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

She thought this was fabulous because at home we are currently reading Matilda by the same author, Roald Dahl.

This got us talking about the author.

She asked if he was Chinese.

We read the back of the book to discover that he was originally from England, but had moved around.

I keep thinking he is Chinese, she said.

Nope.

I then suggested to her that we read James and the Giant Peach next.

She told me she wanted to read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory next.

But Mia, I said, you are reading that at school.

I know, she said, but I want to read it together.

Ah, the little reminder after a long, long day to let me know that these days are worth it.

"So Matilda's strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone."

- Roald Dahl (Matilda)