JONI MAC
  • Home
  • My Beautiful Mistake
  • Blog
  • Cookbooks
  • Work in progress
  • About
SIGN UP FOR MY BLOG

The gift of reading

2/17/2020

0 Comments

 
Lately I’ve been having a hard time reading. Never mind writing. My mother passed away earlier this month and although she lived a very long full life, I’m engulfed in sadness. As much as it was expected, and as much as I was “prepared”, grief has caught me by surprise. Friends tell me this is normal.

I’ve been reflecting on what I learned from her and the lessons she taught me. One of the greatest gifts she gave me is my love of books.

As a child, I was encouraged to read. There were always books in our house and there were regular excursions to the local library. I remember the excitement of picking out the maximum number of books, the way the librarian stamped the due date on the back, and the anticipation of taking them home and choosing which to read first.

As the youngest child, I often had to accompany my mother to her many social outings at the homes of her friends. She would tell me to pick a book to take with me and seat me somewhere on the periphery of the group. Fortunately for both of us, I was happily - and quietly - lost in reading while the women got on with whatever they were doing.

Looking back, I wonder if it was my mother’s encouragement that made me into the reader I became or if it was my natural disposition. Perhaps a bit of both.

Without that encouragement, would I have taken to the enjoyment and thrill of losing myself in stories? Without growing up in a house where books were a constant, would I have seen the wonder of their magic? What makes someone a reader? Why do some people grow up deriving great pleasure in reading, while others don’t?

Educators know that a lot rides on how activities are presented to children. The culture of reading that parents create shows a strong correlation to kids’ eventual interests. The presence of books is not magically transformative. But a parent’s influence and a positive attitude toward the experience of reading, is a large factor in whether a child will find pleasure in reading. Of course, it’s not the only factor at play, but it is one that has a huge influence.

I had some excellent teachers when I was young who also encouraged my reading habits but I credit my mom for my love of books and the pleasure they give me. I can’t even guess how she had time to read but her love of a good story was passed on to me and I’m better for it.

Who influenced you in your reading habits? Have you ever thought about how you became a reader? Drop me a line or leave a comment - who gave you the gift of reading?

Until next time, happy reading!
Joni
0 Comments
<<Previous

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo from bungee-ride
  • Home
  • My Beautiful Mistake
  • Blog
  • Cookbooks
  • Work in progress
  • About