Me: And you were reading your Bible this morning because why?
Liv: I want Winnie to stop biting me.
Me: How was reading the Bible going to solve that issue?
Livia: God gonna speak to that dog.
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The conversation above came after Jeremy found Liv in bed reading her little pink Bible. She had gotten sick in the night and this morning I told her to stay in bed until I had brought her a drink. While I was downstairs, Liv was reading her Bible to figure out right and wrong. She said that the next time Winnie is sick, Livia will read the Bible to her—apparently to teach the wee dog that biting is wrong. My favorite line, though, is “God gonna speak to that dog.” Love. it.
I realize that I’ve been burning the candle at both ends recently, running back and forth between various responsibilities without much pause for reflection or rejuvenation. I was beginning to treat every activity as an obligation… not a great way to live and definitely not a way to enjoy life! On the heels of the realization comes some small stomach virus that has Liv laid up in bed and me kept at home on a sunny and cold Friday. And you know what? I’m thoroughly enjoying the day. My calendar is cleared, we’ve got groceries in the cupboards, and I have an excuse to go slow.
Most enjoyable of all was thirty minutes of reading Little House in the Big Woods to my daughter. Livia laughed at the story of Pa playing Mad Dog with his daughters, and urged me to keep reading the chapter on Christmas. I love connecting her to a series of books that has brought me so much pleasure over the years.
4 Comments
Melissa Marsh Nov 21, 2008 2:26 PM
I LOVE her line: “God gonna speak to that dog.” So precious!
I read all the Little House books – I still remember them so fondly. I’m glad you’re sharing them with Livia.
My dad gave me my old set of the Little House books, so maybe I should start reading them to my daughter, too. Right now we’re reading a chapter a night on the book, BOLT, which coincides with the Disney movie. :-)
Jen Nov 21, 2008 2:29 PM
I have had the same revelation on many occasions. Our family is goinggoinggoing. Then someone gets sick with something contagious, and I have an excuse to clear our schedule. We hunker down with a good book(currently The Witch of Blackbird Pond or Johnny Tremain), or and old movie we’ve seen so many times we all know all the good lines. Forced downtime(for minor illness) is definitely a blessing in disguise.
Sarah M Nov 21, 2008 4:15 PM
I had to re-read that sentence. The first time, I thought I read, “God gonna spank that dog” and then, thought, either way I could see her saying both, and they’re both very funny!!
Glad you could relax today with a cuddle and a good book.
Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt Nov 21, 2008 8:23 PM
Aren’t blogs great? So we can remember all these funny little things they say. :)