Simple milestones usually are the best

The doctor calls with some startling news…

The doorbell rings. Who is that familiar-looking stranger at the door?

A funny thing happened on the way to the store…

Everyone appreciates a good story, and I’m no exception. In fact, you might say I’ve built a career around helping people tell their stories. I love a good tale, from a dynamic opening line, to a leading narrative, to thought-provoking insights and a satisfying conclusion.

A had a whopper of a story last week, when my son was struck ill by a nasty virus that left him unwilling to eat for nearly a week. He even started to refuse liquids and had to take a trip to urgent care to get intravenously rehydrated. I saw more of his personal fluids during that week than I care to admit — let’s just say it was a trying time for all of us.

So it was with great joy that my little guy was back to his normal self and was well enough to return to daycare. The fact that it was Halloween week — my favorite holiday — helped us focus on the upcoming festivities. It also provided me the first opportunity to make something for my son’s “class.”

Now, this was my big moment, so I didn’t want to blow it. I opted to make Jell-O, because, well, no one screws up Jell-O. So it was with great pride on Thursday when I dropped my guy off and brought in two containers of freshly made raspberry and lime gelatin — everyone likes choices.

And I beamed a few hours later when I picked him up to get ready for trick-or-treating. I couldn’t wait to get him into the little prison inmate costume we bought weeks earlier (complete with little tattoo sleeves).

“I wanted to tell you,” his daycare teacher said, “that Ben has a story.”

“Really?” I said excitedly. “What is it big guy?” I directed my attention to my tot who was availing some dinosaur toys with his screams.

He didn’t answer, so I turned back to the teacher.

“We were taking a walk,” she explained, “and a tree branch down the block fell to the sidewalk. And Ben has been telling everyone about it.”

At that moment, my son ran up and said simply, “Big tree broke.”

I’ve read thousands of stories in my life, and I’ll more than likely read thousands more.

This was the best one ever.

— Sarah Leach is editor of The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at (616) 546-4278 or sarah.leach@hollandsentinel.com.