Remembering the "lasts" and a giveaway!

I promised a giveaway was coming, so before this weekend is history, here it goes...

First of all, I've had this particular item in mind as a giveaway for a while now. But with the rash of stories about tiny bundles full of new life and promise giving way to the wonderment and mommy-love of toddlerhood, followed close on the heels of the magical preschool years, which suddenly morph into an out of control snowball effect of elementary-then junior-then senior high school until-with barely a moment's notice--the once tiny, helpless person, who now stands a head taller than you, waves as his car heads off to college or beyond; well, it was obvious the time for this giveaway was now.

For it was yesterday, literally, that the Boy's 7th grade basketball season ended (with first place trophies in both the championship game and the regular season, if I might brag on him for a moment.) We drove home, as we have each Saturday morning since early November, with every seat in the vehicle occupied by a game-wearied child; some coming down off snack bar sugar rushes, while others regrouped from their roles of cheerleaders-at-large, and one, in particular, who had, in both sweat and smiles, played to his heart's content. My husband turned to me with a sudden realization and noted sadly, "Next year, when basketball season ends, it really will end...And football season...And track season." Next year, if we aren't careful we'll miss celebrating these "lasts" with the Boy before our foray into the world of high-school sports begins. Dear God, I hope we don't miss it.

And I'm hoping we won't, thanks to a lovely book, called Let Me Hold You Longer, given to me by another dear mommy-friend, trying desperately not to miss any "lasts" herself. I've given copies to other mothers before and, this week, I'll give away a copy to another mom, who between furiously taking mental notes and pictures of her children's youth, might enjoy the message this tender story sends.

The book is by highly-accomplished author, Karen Kingsbury, who in addition to her writing accolades is also mom to six children, three of whom are adopted from Haiti. From the book jacket:

Karen Kingsbury has created a touching reminder that the years of childhood fly too quickly by us. Most of us faithfully remember and capture our children's "firsts." Karen encourages readers to try to recognize and savor the often fleeting "lasts"--those milestones that so easily go unnoticed.

The giveaway is open to everyone. Simply leave a comment and tell me about the "last" you remember best. It can be one of your children's lasts or one from your own childhood. I'll choose a winner at random on Thursday, January 23rd at noon CST.