Once upon a time there was a little second grade girl who LOVED school..... Yep, that's how it all started for me. My teacher, Mrs. Weaver (who looked just like Mrs. Piggle Wiggle of the stories I giggled all the way through), had a summer reading contest and I was bound and determined to win. Why? Three reasons: I loved to read, I wasn't allowed to go to summer school, and I was competitive (imagine that!!). That second reason was the benchmark as I just couldn't understand why I couldn't go. Even with all the DRAMA AND TEARS I could produce there was no persuading my teacher nor my parents. (I didn't comprehend that the concept of summer school was to give additional scholastic help to those in need. Hey, I just wanted to go and have more time in the classroom!)
She devised a program where the students would read a book then fill out a Book Report form and the student who diligently read AND completed the forms well the most would win. Well, I was NOT about to lose and spent all summer engrossed in a myriad of books that I had at home and borrowed from the public library. I filled out those forms judiciously with minute details. And guess what?? I WON -- woo woo!!!! And Mrs. Weaver gave me my prize.......Are you ready for this?? Get ready: it was a forest green metal recipe box with index cards inside. Yep, that's right. A recipe box. Did I think it was the most wonderful gift? Absolutely. Was I proud? I beamed from ear to ear when she handed it to me. Do I still have it? You bet your life I do.
And I have never stopped reading. Been through different "periods" in my life. Started with the with wonderful childrens' books like Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and Paddington and The Bobbsey Twins and then onto the Trixie Belden series. Mysteries were followed by tons of biographies then all the Emilie Loring books (I actually owned the entire series at one point) and, of course, the great novels like Gone With The Wind (if you have never read this incredible story you absolutely must do so!). I devoted a year to reading the Bible as well.
Now? I get totally absorbed in my Smithsonian magazine whenever it arrives(it has everything: science, animals, art, history, discoveries, travel, photography.... ). The articles totally fascinate me. And I'm into well written historical novels with a splash of romance.
Reading is an ability that opens the universe. Share this gift with those around you.
