The Perfect Book: Let me hold you longer

***  This post contains personal photos that are illegal to use on any other website without my permission.  Also contains affiliate links

When our first child was born, I received a book from my Mom’s friend that was titled:

Let Me Hold You Longer  by Karen Kingsbury

I loved it from the time that I read it, but I didn’t truly understand it until he started to get older. The book talks about enjoying their lasts…
I have given this book as “new baby” gifts to many of my friends (My two best friends from childhood, Sarah & Angela, both had new babies this year and this book was my gift to both of them). I keep it in my possession, as it is more for me than for my kids, and I treasure it daily.

“Long ago you came to me,
A miracle of firsts…

But one day you will move away
and leave me to your past.
and I will be left thinking of
A lifetime of your lasts…”

How many times do we do something with our children and not realize that it will be our “last” time doing it for them?

“The last time that I lifted you and held you on my hip” I can no longer carry our six year old on my hip at the drop of a hat or carry him up and down the steps like I used to because he wants to be held.

“”The last night when you woke up crying, needing to be walked,
When you last crawled up with your blanket, wanting to be rocked.”

As I mentioned in my post, up all night, there comes a time when our kids will no longer need us at night. They will sleep all night long and hours will pass where they don’t see us or need us. One day… in the not-as-distant-as-I-would-like-future, our children will move on to their own lives and we will be left wishing that we had enjoyed their lasts a little more.  (Read about Embracing the Night Shift)

“The last time that I comb your hair
or stop a pillow fight.
The last time that I pray with you and tuck you in at night.

The last time when we cuddle
with a book, just me and you.
The last time you jump in our bed and sleep between us two.”

Our kids love to cuddle with us now, and my vision of our family in the future is that we will all still have movie night on our couch and read a book together in their room. I hope that they will pick spending time with us over going out every weekend. Will they want me to help them with their homework when they are older? Or drive them to the movies or to the mall to shop together?

“The last time that I shout that yes,
your room is still a mess.

The last time that you need me for a ride from here to there
The last time that you spend the night with your old tattered teddy bear.

The time is coming faster and faster. Our dear sweet babies are growing up. My mom often asks “How long will they want to spend time with us like this?” for now, it is often. They love their one on one time and their “special days” with their grandparents. and I hope that they never outgrow that.

“Precious, simple moments and bright flashes from your past.
Would I have held you longer if I’d known they’d be your last?”

One day “I’ll watch you leave and think how fast our time together passed.
Let me hold on longer, God, to every precious last.”
(This one is of my grandma, we miss her dearly)

*** If you want to buy this book for someone that you love (I highly recommend it), it will be cherished by them as much as it is by me!   You can find it here. ***

I buy this for every one of my friends that have had a baby (as part of their baby shower gift).

PS~ Making Memories to last a lifetime: Spending one on one time with your kids

AND THIS ONE: HAVE A LITTLE FAITH IN ME.

Mommy, Will you lay with me?