On The Night You Were Born

One of our new favorite books is 

On The Night You Were Born

by Nancy Tillman

I had read it a few times to the boys before we went on a walk and found a ladybug.  Logan ran to tell me, saying excitedly, "Mom! Mom! The ladybug came to see my smile! Just like in the book!"

***

"On the night you were born,

the moon smiled with such wonder

that the stars peeked in to see you

and the night wind whispered,

"Life will never be the same."

Because there had never been anyone like you...

ever in the world.

So enchanted with you were the wind and the rain

that they whispered the sound of your wonderful name.

It sailed through the farmland high on the breeze...

Over the ocean...

And through the trees...

Until everyone heard it

and everyone knew 

of the one and only ever you.

Not once had there been such eyes, such a nose, 

such silly, wiggly, wonderful toes.

When the polar bears heard,

they danced until dawn. 

From faraway places,

the geese flew home.

The moon stayed up until morning next day.

And none of the ladybugs flew away.

So whenever you doubt just how special you are

and you wonder who loves you, how much and how far,

listen for geese honking high in the sky.

(They're singing a song to remember you by.)

Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo.

(It's because they've been dancing all night for you!)

Or drift off to sleep to the sound of the wind.

(Listen closely... it's whispering your name again!)

If the moon stays up until morning one day,

or a ladybug lands and decides to stay,

or a little bird sits at your window awhile,

it's because they're all hoping to see you smile...

For never before in story or rhyme

(not even once upon a time)

has the world ever known a you, my friend,

and it never will, not ever again...

Heaven blew every trumpet and played every horn

on the wonderful, marvelous night you were born."

***

We also love another Nancy Tillman (who is based in Portland Oregon!) book, Wherever You Are, My Love Will Find You, which is an awesome choice for anyone who has loved ones far away.  I cried when my parents sent it for the boys and me.