The Last Book

​“The mail’s here grandma!” Uri said excitedly.  Uri looked forward to getting the mail each day.  So, Uri and grandma walked to the mailbox.  Grandma looked inside.  The mailbox was taller than Uri, and he could not see into it. Uri shouted, “Is there a book for me?” 
 
Every month since Uri was a baby, he received a book in the mail.  Uri looked forward to the days when a book would arrive.  Lately, grandma got a little sad thinking about Uri and these books.  Uri was not the only one who loved the day of book delivery.  Grandma loved them too. 
 
Grandma thought about all the days the books had arrived and Uri’s delight in receiving these mail deliveries.  In a few short months, grandma thought, the book deliveries will end.  The month Uri turns five is when the books will stop.  It was only five months away – five more books. 
 
Grandma would miss those days of book arrivals.  Book day held special moments that grandma would dearly miss: 

• Walking together to the mailbox
• Uri wondering aloud if a book would be inside – “I think there’s a book for me.”
• Uri asking if there was a book for him – “Is there a book grandma?”
• The look of excitement and delight when Uri was told there was a book in the mailbox – “I think there’s a book in the mailbox!”
• Uri jumping up and down and clapping his hands – “Yayyyy!”
• Uri taking the book and running to the house
• Uri sitting on the living room floor looking through the pages of the new book
• Snuggling with Uri on the couch to read the story – “Let’s read it together.”
• Uri finding a comfy spot to look through the book again
• Uri telling his mommy about the new book - “Mommy!  A new book came, and I get to take it home!” 

 
Grandma thought to herself, “Our little boy is growing up.”  Soon the last book will arrive.  This will be a time of endings and new beginnings.  When the book deliveries stop, other endings are on the horizon.  It will be a short eight months from the ending of the book deliveries that will make grandma both happy and sad.  A few months after the books stop, Uri will enter kindergarten.  Uri’s regular time with grandma will end all too soon.  Grandma felt a lump in her throat and tears were forming in her eyes.  Grandma’s last grandchild will soon receive his last book, and then her last grandchild will soon start school. 
 
Grandma wishes that she could hold Uri close and experience all the wonderful things they shared together for many years to come.  But Uri is growing up as all little boys do.  Grandma knows that Uri will still come to visit, and they will still have special moments together.   Grandma looks back at pictures of Uri during his time with her and remembers the love and wonder they shared.  She cries in her heart. 
 
Grandma will enjoy the moments she and Uri have together before the last book arrives.  They will continue their journeys to the mailbox and continue to discover the joy of books.  After the last book, Grandma will continue with book reading until the day Uri begins school – the books just won’t arrive in the mail.  And the day Uri begins kindergarten, grandma will cry tears of sadness for what will be no more and tears of joy for a boy growing up.  In October, the last book will arrive.
BEcky – Written for Uri during the virus  May 12, 2020