Hug Time

Zoey and I curled up in bed tonight to read Hug Time, by Patrick McDonnell, together.  An extension of the Mutts cartoon strip my sister Abby got me hooked on, I had forgotten I even owned a copy of this book until Zoey pulled it off the bottom shelf of a bookcase in the hallway.

'Mommy!  Let's read this!'

A very, very sweet tale of a small kitten named Jules who travels the world in an effort to hug everyone and everything, he cozies up to great blue whales and tigers alike.

"But in the North Pole, Jules sadly found
What it would be like with no one around."

Zoey:  Mommy?  He's sad. 

Me:  He is.  He feels all alone, but look!  (Next page.)  See the polar bear who comes out to give him a hug?  That must make him feel better.

Zoey:  Oh yes.  He's on an ed-benture!  (Adventure)

Me:  You're right.

Zoey:  But an ed-benture by himself is sad.

Me:  Sometimes.

We finish the book and I massage Zoey's head and back, like every night.  Curled up tight under my quilt, she is quiet.  I think she has drifted off when I hear 'Mommy?'

Me:  Yes?

Zoey:  (sleepy and sweet) I would never go on an ed-benture without you.

Me:  Thanks, bug.

And this?  Is why I do what I do, every day, all day, forever and ever amen.