Friday, March 7, 2008

The Golden Shoe Award

Under a pile of pastel eggs and a sprinkling of plastic grass, I found my all time favorite Easter book. I like this one so much I have two copies in the house--one for upstairs and one for down! It's an old book (written in the 1930's I think) and I remember loving the old-fashioned pictures and happy Easter story as a little girl.

Now that I am reading it to my own children, I find myself identifying very much with the Little Country Bunny who gave up her dream of becoming an Easter Bunny so she could raise a family. I want to be as swift and kind and wise as she because, if you've read the book you know, she single-handedly raises 21 children, trains them to do all the housework, and be polite and obedient to boot.

After years of motherhood, the Country Bunny is given another opportunity to become an Easter Bunny and she wins the position, thanks to the wisdom, speed and kindness she developed in her home. Her children capably run the household so she can bring Easter happiness to children all over the world, including one very sick little boy. It is a difficult job, but she climbs the highest of mountains and even earns a magical pair of tiny gold shoes! Delightful.

On a whim the other day, I bought two inexpensive copies of this book and wrapped them up to give to two mothers I think are deserving of their own Golden Shoe Award.

The first one is for a dear friend at church who has a houseful of little ones and a husband with a long commute. Yet she somehow manages to bring me dinner, serve others with a smile and raise a bunch of bunnies who are polite and obedient to boot!

The other winner is my neighbor, who is leaving for China next week to bring home a 3 year old girl with a cleft palate and a broken leg. This little girl will not only be given the gift of two loving and generous parents, but six older siblings (including two from China!) and a lifetime of opportunities.

It's nice to know that kind, swift and wise mothers aren't just living in storybooks.

20 comments:

Annie said...

Oh, Gabi. What a great idea. I think I'm going to have to give some golden shoe awards here, too. {By the way, you deserve one too!}

Great post!

Rochelleht said...

Oh, I LOVE good example of motherhood. They are all around us, aren't they? Bravo to you for recognizing them and validating their efforts. That will just make their day, I think.

Holly said...

Thanks for sharing about this book. I had not heard of it, but am definitely going to look for it. Your golden shoe awards were so thoughtful and I am sure they uplifted your friends.

Oh to raise one bunny that is polite and obedient--can't imagine 20+ bunnies.

Christie said...

I love hearing stories like this! What a great idea. BTW, only 20 more days until we invade! Are you ready? I'm SOOOOO excited.

calibosmom said...

This is a great idea! I just may have to snag it from you. I love the idea of honoring great moms! This is a terrific award too because I love books and this one is perfect!

Lindsey said...

I love those stories. What a great idea to give it to someone else.

amy said...

oh my gosh. this was my easter book growing up too! wow. love that.

Bridget said...

What a cute book. I hadn't heard of it before. And your neighbors sound amazing. A mothering compliment is THE best kind to get. I'm with Annie. You deserve an award too!

marta said...

i forgot about this book! but if anyone deserves an award it's you! best of luck with hanging in there.. i'm thinking of you. can't wait to see you..

the wrath of khandrea said...

if i read that book, will i become a better mother like your friends? i'll take all the help i can get.
:O)

hey, you stumbled on an unfinished post earlier today. i thought i had clicked 'save as draft' but it was actually 'publish'. so if you want the real story, check it out. also, not sure where your comment disappeared to in that process.

Megan said...

What a sweet idea. I might just have to steal it and get some copies of that book to give away. Love the post and the idea. Thanks.

Jenibelle said...

I would never win a golden bunny award. My kids are polite and kind, but they are wild, wild, wild bunnies. They truly keep me hopping from sun-up to sun down.

Jenibelle said...

Oops, that would be a golden shoe, not bunny, although wouldn't that be cute?

martha corinna said...

You a such a thoughtful person.
Good mothers need some appreciation and recognition.

Jake said...

Jennibelle...your bunnies could NOT be wilder than mine. I promise promise promise.

Travelin'Oma said...

I remember the cover of this book but I didn't recognize the story. It sounds like it was written to honor you. Don't you wish you had 17 more bunnies? Think of all the help they'd be.

You are so thoughtful to honor a couple of moms. Every holiday should honor moms.

Lauren in GA said...

You are truly a thoughtful gift giver. I know the amazing mommies that receive these splendid books will apprciate them. I agree with Rochelleht, I too, love good examples of motherhood.

Ilene said...

Why don't I ever think of things like that?

A bonus of blogging is getting your guys' ideas so I can get my bum in gear.

I look forward to reading the book!

laina kay said...

This is my all-time favorite Easter book. I, too, have fond memories of reading/hearing this book as a child!

What a sweet idea to give "Golden Shoe Awards" to deserving mommies! You certainly deserve one, too!

Jill said...

I gotta get this book now! Thanks for the info.
You are so sweet to share those books with others who I'm sure will appreciate it! You're so great!

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