Mom's gift

In my 47 years, my mother has bought me many gifts. However, the greatest gift initially didn't cost her a dime - she taught me how to read and encouraged me to do so.

At 5 years old, I had my own subscriptions to "Highlights For Children" and "Humpty Dumpty" magazines. At Christmas and birthdays, there were always books among my gifts. Through my elementary school days, Mom squeezed money out of the family budget, for five books per month, from the "Weekly Reader" Book club.

On those long car trips, from one military base to another, I was happily ensconced in the back seat, with a stack of books. To this day, if I'm not driving, I read on car trips.

As I got older, Mom drove me to the library, once a week. I STILL hit the library, on a weekly basis. Since the age of 10, wherever I've lived, I've had a library card. Even my cat-print tote bag, that I carry my library books in, was a gift from Mom.

Mom, I forgive you for your awful cooking, the pink frilly dresses and that horrible perm, when I was 7 because you have given me one gift that has sustained me and will continue to do so, for life. Other than cats, the two things that I always have close to hand are a book and my reading glasses.

Thanks, Mom.

That's beautiful Cindy.

Cindy

That's lovely!

Aw that's great. And that's great that you read so much!

that is beautiful, i wish my parents encouraged me that much when i was young

Thats great. You are lucky to have a mom that encouraged you to read. My mother thought I read TOO much as a child and was always fussing for me to "put that book down, go outside and play, you need some fresh air!!" :-s

Originally Posted by carolcat

Thats great. You are lucky to have a mom that encouraged you to read. My mother thought I read TOO much as a child and was always fussing for me to "put that book down, go outside and play, you need some fresh air!!" :-s

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Mom ran me out of the house, too. I just took my book with me and flopped on the chaise lounge.

Cindy that is wonderful! And with your permission, I would like to send it to my mother. I grew up in libraries because she was a librarian and used to take me to work every day. I still remember a little round table in the children's section where my sisters read to me each day.

That is a tremendous gift. Our family did not agree on many things, but reading was one thing we all had in common. I read to my daughter even before she was born and I hope she passes her love of reading on to the child she is carrying.

As a teacher of young kids learning how to read, this is great to hear! I love teaching reading, and I am glad my parents instilled a love of reading in me when I was young as well.