Eternal Moments

"Actually I don't want to watch my video afterall, Mommy. Please read my Charlotte's Web book."

Open Scene:
Mother and Daughter snuggled on the couch, daughter tucked into the curve made by Mother's body around her smaller one. Arm encircles little body, sweet little three-year-old cheek resting on Mother's shoulder. The lights are low, the sound of after dinner dishes can be heard faintly from the kitchen.
It's a night like any other. But there in the living room beneath a lamp an eternal moment, hereafter forever treasured, is being made.

(Mother Reading)
“Where’s Papa going with that ax?" said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast. “Out to the hoghouse,” replied Mrs. Arable. “Some pigs were born last night.” I don’t see why he needs an ax,” continued Fern, who was only eight. “Well,” said her mother, “one of the pigs is a runt. It’s very small and weak, and it will never amount to anything. So your father has decided to do away with it.” Do away with it?” shrieked Fern…

And so begins "Charlotte's Web" by E. B. White. And so begins a tradition long-awaited since the womb by the mother. Three chapters later, the daughter wriggles out of Mother’s lap and the glowing moment subsides into playing princess and bedtime snacks and brushing teeth. But the satisfaction felt at the start of (what is hoped to be) a long tradition of cuddling up and reading classics together began there, tonight, in the comfort of a normal night at home.
The whirlwind of bedtime finally landed Evy in bed, where she asked to read another chapter about Wilbur. Tonight…was perfect.