Mary Ann
When I look back on my life and was faced with life challenges, I always found that books saved me. I could have been depressed or discouraged, but somehow, I escaped to an alternative world or enmeshed myself in stories about different people and places. Books were a great bridge to better times.
When I learned to read, phonics was taught. It is an excellent way to teach children to read, unless you are a sight reader which I was. Beginning phonics was a foreign language to me. I never understood what I was learning. I must have faked it well because my report cards don’t mention any problems. I asked my mother if teachers ever mentioned that I had trouble reading, and she said no. So, I read Dick and Jane, but I did not enjoy it.
Somewhere around 4th grade, something clicked and suddenly in the middle of an Old Mother West Wind book, I was reading and roller coasting over words I didn’t know. However, I knew what was happening, and I loved it. A flood gate opened, and I was constantly reading – maybe that was the reason I got glasses that year? I read the entire Bobbsey Twins collection and then on to Nancy Drew. It was easy reading with the same format – a great way for a beginner reader to get a foothold on books. I even won a reading contest in 5th grade for reading the most books. Truly, how could that have happened when I was flailing in the early primary grades?
By the time I entered Junior High, the forerunner of Middle School, we were reading classic literature. If I had a kerfuffle (isn’t that the greatest word?) with some catty girls or a dispute with my mother, reading Jane Eyreor The Count of Monte Cristo or any other timeless classic, I was relieved to come home and be whisked away to imaginary worlds. My parents would say that I always had my nose in a book, and I did! A perfect summer day for me was to lie in our hammock being gently rocked by a breeze and read a book by a favorite author. I would read until dark.
Then you go to high school and college, and you are so busy that finding time to read was a real challenge. Of course, you had assigned literature to read from your classes. Thank Heavens! So, I often would read myself to sleep catching a bit of a pleasure book, and I would always carry a book with me so I could steal moments to read.
After those rather carefree years, you enter adulthood. You then might spend more time reading Good Night Moon or Where the Wild Things Are to your children instead being deep in a steamy romance novel. It is all part of growing up, really growing up. I can remember being in grad school, teaching full-time, raising young children, and running a house, and my only reading was the People magazine once a week as I soaked in a bubble bath. The time was precious.
Life becomes very real when you get a divorce. It is such a sad time. I was reading a lot of self-help books trying to figure myself out and understanding the pain my broken heart was enduring. I have written before how the right book always comes, and it did. I am so thankful for that gift. It made all the difference. However, I missed reading books for pleasure. It was reading to survive.
When my children were on their own and had left the “nest,” I spent a year or so reading reflective, inspirational books. They all helped me heal my soul and allowed me to move forward to embrace the next phase of my life where a new, independent chapter awaited. At midlife, it was truly a foundational time.
At work, there were always professional books to read on teaching and learning treads. All deepening my knowledge of children. I would read fiction on the weekends and holiday vacations, but there was never enough time to really dive into all the stories I wanted to read.
With the passing years, my pile of books to read and my lists of new titles grew and grew. Then one day you retire. For the most part, you must grow old to retire, and therein lies the gift of aging, you have time to read! Thank you, Thank you! You may need stronger glasses or bigger font to read. They do make large print books. However, before you is an endless supply of books to read. I have taken full advantage of this gift and enjoy reading every day. I often have three books going at once – the nonfiction I am reading with Lisa, my nature book for book club, and whatever I find of interest on various websites or a recommendation from a fellow reader.
You know that I love books. My blogs this month are all about different aspects of reading. I feel blessed. I do know that a day will come when this will all slow down. I may have to switch to audio books should my eyes fail or turn up the volume on the various audio book if my hearing goes or I might forget what I read the day before. I once knew an elderly lady in her 90s who told me she forgets what she reads each day but still enjoys reading it again. I think that is a great attitude to have and just keep reading. It might be time to get the children’s books out again, so I can read the whole book in one setting. Maybe there will be a great-grandchild to read to as they begin reading, and I will be ending my reading.
Silver Sage Sisters 