Baby

To anyone outside the family, this might look like a sad excuse for a little girl's treasure. Some might even say it holds an uncanny resemblance to a potato. At our house, Baby has a special place in our hearts. Sophy rescued Baby from a lonely existance at a local antique shop. As we passed the doll bed where Baby was sleeping one morning in a quiet antique store, Sophy let out a gasp and grabbed sweet Baby and began to hug her as if they had known each other before. I tried to encourage her to leave Baby in the doll bed where she would be safe and warm(after all, she DID look like a potato.)
But no, Sophy would have none of it. She wrapped her in a hug and whispered to her, "I'm so sorry Baby. I'm so sorry." Sophy, with tears in her eyes, (yes, this was as dramatic a scene in the store as I am relaying to you right now) begged her daddy to let her buy Baby for the low, low price of $4.99. Daddy, without a sentimental dolly bone in his body, almost passed into convulsions. He would not pay for Baby, he said. Baby must stay at the store. He took Baby from Sophy and put her back in her quiet, little doll bed in the back corner of the antique store. All the while, Sophy cries, "I'm sorry Baby. I can help you. I can help you."
It was heart breaking. I couldn't take any more and became very persuasive to the father of our clan, who in turn, decided that maybe Baby *did* need to come home with us after all. Maybe, just maybe, she really was worthy of her low, low price of $4.99. We mommies can be so convincing, can't we?
Baby has been a princess. Baby has been a baby, a friend, and a traveling companion. She has dried tears, eaten peas, and played hide and seek. Baby has had her head sewed up once, her arm sewn on once, and a leg seam reinforced. She is no potato! Though she has no face, fingers, or toes, she is our BABY!!

As a reading teacher, I feel qualified to give any one reading this a homework assignment. Read the book: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, by Kate DiCamillo. The adult in you will balk at the assignment. I understand that. However, you will thank me when you finish the book. I am certain of that. It's the best story I've ever read. There may be books around that are more philosophical (maybe not), but you'll not find a better "story" anywhere. If you have children who will be old enough soon to be read to, buy the book. You'll thank me, and you're welcome. READ THE BOOK, and you might just think of Baby.