When our kids were young, we used to read them the book “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch and illustrated by Sheila McGraw. The mother in the story holds her new baby and slowly rocks him back and forth, singing:
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll love you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.”
She sings the song to her son throughout his life, through ups and downs, until she gets too old and ill, and he has to sing the song to her:
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll love you for always, as long as I’m living my Mommy you’ll be.”
The story ends with the son returning home and rocking his baby daughter to sleep singing the song to her.
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll love you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.”
I was packing up some things in our back room this weekend and came across the book. We haven’t read it to the kids in years, but it holds a special place in my heart. There is a strange part where she sneaks into her son’s house and rocks him as an adult, but we’ve loved it anyway. The kids were so small when we first started reading it, now they’re adults living their own lives, with their own dreams. I can’t go back in time, but I’ll cherish my memories forever.
And I’m left to repeat it sing-song like in my thoughts:
“I’ll love you forever, I’ll love you for always, as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be.”
Writing from the Heart with Brian 
Tugging at my heartstrings…this was a favorite in our house too – especially the lines you’ve quoted. I’d forgotten about this sweet book — thank you for such a beautiful memory-inducing post. (And you’re right! The image of rocking an adult is/was a little weird, but we chose to ignore it, too!) 😉
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Yes, it’s a sweet memory. It was fun to go back and read again!
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I wish I had known about that sweet book when my sweet baby was my sweet baby! She still is, mind you—she’s just not much of a baby anymore. Maybe if I’m lucky, I’ll have a chance to sing it to my great grand babies, whenever they appear.
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Yes, I would never tell my kids this, but I was tempted to put the book into a box to donate to the library, but a.) I couldn’t give it away because it means too much to us, and b.) a small part of me hopes to read it one day to my grandkids! 😂😂
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What a delightful book, Brian, and a beautiful post. How lovely to still have these happy memories. My youngest grandchildren are now nine and seven, so probably a bit too old for this song. Apart from which, I can’t sing in tune to save my life! Lovely post. Thanks for sharing.
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Oh, I didn’t say anything about singing in tune!!!! That’s beyond me! Yes, it’s a fun lil book!
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Lovely. You’re an old softie, Brian, and that’s a very good thing! 😊
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Jane, I’m not sure about an old softie … who knows? Crazy? Insane? Oh yes, definitely!!!! A fun book. Thanks for the compliment!
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Oh man, I love that book with all my heart. I use to read it to my boy too and I couldn’t get through it without sobbing!
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LaShelle, I read the book to my kids now. They let me finish it, but now I get the rolling of the eyes and maybe a sigh or two. Just dad being crazy! It’s a neat little book!
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That’s so wonderful. such great memories
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Sweet. I read that book to my kids now and so reading this adds a special perspective to consider this from. And yes, the part where she sneaks into his house is a little strange. 🙂
Thanks, Brian!
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Yes, it’s a neat little book, outside of that one part. My kids roll their eyes at me, but I think they still like it. Your kids may be past this one …. What’s their favorite? What’s the best books to read to young kids now? Seems like there are more options now!!!
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Thank you for sharing the memories of reading to your children. It’s true, they remain our babies forever.
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My mother still calls me the baby! Too funny. Thanks for reading!
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That book!💗💗
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A good one!
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I’m not crying you are! Geesh, a warning would have been nice! LOL
What great forever memory.
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The joys of being a parent, right? Get so mad at them one minute, cry over them the next!
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So very true!!! That is love on steroids, and there is nothing we can do about it. LOL
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