Caren's birthday is this month and in honor of that, I'm going to tell a story on her. About a million years ago when she and I were newly married to our husbands, the whole family went on a camping trip up in the mountains. That night as we all sat around the fire, Caren said she would tell us a story. Now, as a preface, I have no idea how I managed to get that far in life without ever having read The Sneetches and other stories by Dr. Seuss, but I hadn't. When Caren recited What Was I Scared Of? from memory, in the dark, in the woods, I don't know if I've ever been more scared. She terrified me with that story and the ending took me by such shock that the whole night is seared in my memory.
Every time I read What Was I Scared Of? to my kids, I try to make it just as surprising and suspenseful as I heard it for the first time so long ago. The shock has since worn off for them, but I still love to pretend like it's the first time they've ever heard it. It's the perfect spooky story and the ending always feels absolutely right. It remains one of my favorite stories of all time. Happy birthday, Caren, and thanks for scaring the bejeepers out of me and impressing me with your memorization skills!
Are you talking about the pair of pants with nobody inside them? Ha! Great story!
ReplyDeleteOh, I'm laughing! I don't even remember that! Andrew must have put me up to it, because I'm sure I wouldn't have inflicted that on you by myself. I wish I could tell you when and why I memorized the story of the pale green pants, but ironically I don't remember. It's still a crowd favorite at our house, though! Thanks for the funny memory!
ReplyDeleteYes, Happy Birthday Caren. I remember that too, now that you remind me. We all love that story now, but I didn't remember how we all heard of it. Thanks Caren. I'm impressed still at your skills and for surprising Jenny.
ReplyDeletexxoo
~a