Did you know that this book is a sad sad story? Me neither, I thought it was a cute book about a bunny who says he's going to run away and a mom who let's him know she'll always be there.
For those of you unfamiliar with the story: the bunny says he is going to run away and the mother says if you run away I will run after you, for you are my little bunny. If you run after me, I'll hide in a garden says the bunny, If you hide in the garden, I will become the gardner... etc etc until at the end he decides to stay home. Cute pictures - good message - no matter what, your Mom is always there for you.
I was reading it to Kate the other night at bedtime and Callie happened to stop by to join us for a moment. As I moved through the book I looked up and tears were welling up in Callie's eyes. "That is so sad, why does that little bunny want to run away from his mother?" "Doesn't it make his mom feel sad?" I don't know how many times Callie has heard this story or why she suddenly sympathised with that poor, poor mother. It was strange. I explained to her that the book was really about how your mom will always be there for you no matter what. The strangest part for me was that out of all of my children Callie is the only one who ever says really mean things to me like "I hate you" or "I wish you weren't my mother."
There is something special inside of you Callie. You feel things deeply, you have lots of empathy and passion, and feel the need to make everything in the world "right." Some day we hope these gifts will give you the passion, desire, and will to acheive great things. But, heaven help us when you are 13.
