Monday, August 17, 2009

Don't be a Grover

When I was a kid, I used to LOVE this book.



And now, my kids love this book.

The basic story is Grover starts flipping out after the first page when you read that there is a monster at the end of the book. Page after page, he constructs new obstacles to try to keep you from going forward. And, page after page, you prove his efforts to be futile.

At the end of the book (stop reading if you don't want me to spoil it for you) there isn't anything but Grover. He's the monster at the end of the book. He freaked out for nothing and even points out his embarrassment.

As we were reading this the other night, dear old Grover taught me a pretty big life lesson.

The reason why the kids (and I) always love this book is because it lets them demonstrate...

courage,

determination,

confidence,

strength,

bravery,

all of those things that we want for our kids.

Lately, I have been less like them and more like Grover. I freak out about what the future holds when it's going to happen regardless. And, most likely, the only bad thing that is going to happen was all constructed in my own imagination. At the end of the day, I'm just sitting there embarrassed about all of the time I wasted worrying about something didn't even happen. I'm not sure when I changed, but I don't like it.

Has anyone else experienced this, the lack of fearlessness as you've gotten older?

4 comments:

fritz said...

I *love* this post and will be sharing it with someone who really needs it right now. Then I think we'll start a little ritual of reading the book every night before bedtime. :-)

Jamie said...

yes. i am so not the brave person i once was. i too am trying to rekindle my bravery but i think it dims because you understand how freaking cruel life can be.

slbrewer said...

I love this book too. What a great "lesson" you shared from it - I've never thought about it that way. Good reminder to work at not being a Grover :)

G-ma Gayle said...

the thing is, the older we get the more like Oscar the G. we get, gruff on the outside and hopefully soft on the inside. Guess we just need to trust God to get us through the difficult times cuz there tends to be many of those times. But, it makes the good times look really good. Kiss those two angels g'nite for me.