following

Sometimes when I read books with Isaac we both try to take the lead. I want to read him the words the author wrote. I want to point out the parts of the pictures I know he'll like. But he has his own things to say. He wants to go about it differently. And I feel myself wrestling inside with whether I should lead or follow. "I know he'll just love that egg! I have to show him the egg! Look, Isaac! eeeeeeggg!" But he just wants to point at the boots. "boots! boots!" he tells me.

When I give up the lead, when I force myself to follow, I'm always glad I did. I get to hear a word that I didn't know he knew. I get to see inside of him a little more when I hold back to listen. I just wish it wasn't so hard.