It finally happened. The realization that my husband and I actually read ONE of the SAME books in our childhood! This wonderment came as we were driving to pick up kids from camping. Books on tape are a wonderful thing on a road trip. We have heard everything from Adventures in Odyssey to The Tale of Despereaux. Today's choice was Beverly Cleary's The Mouse and the Motorcycle.
The husband was a little grumpy as he had planned on staying home to work while I road-tripped for over two hours, but the clouds rolled in and put a damper on all his plans. So we listened to the adventures of Ralph the mouse as he made friends, discovered the joy of the motorcycle and felt the crushing disappointment of losing such a precious thing that was loaned to him. As Ralph admitted the loss, Ryan looked at me conspiratorily, "Don't worry," he whispered, "he gets it back."
"Wha?" I responded, "You mean you know this story?"
"I read it when I was a kid."
I was dumbfounded. My jaw dropped. Then I smiled a little. After years and years of marriage, another surprise! I knew Ryan spent every childhood summer outside. He'd play monopoly all day, or hide and seek, or ride his bike all over, or play in the gravel pits. Meanwhile, I spent summers escaping into books of all sorts. Many was the time I had mentioned a beloved childhood book only to be met by a blank look.
After I recovered from my shock and repeated, "You've READ The Mouse and the Motorcycle?" more times than I should have, I couldn't help but smile again. I love surprises.
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