I’ve been a member of the Nerdy Book Club since I was about 4 years old. According to my mom that’s when my parents discovered I could read. Since I am now 48, that means I’ve been a reader for 44 years. (See, readers can also do math!) I guess you could say I have been a reader for a long time. I have also been a reading teacher. I have been a reading tutor. I am now a reading ‘specialist’ for my school district. All of these roles have been so rewarding. I have loved seeing students turn into readers and seen great value in helping teachers make this happen as well. There is one reading role in my life though that stands above the rest- reading mother.
From the time my children were infants I read to them. They are now 23, 20, 18 and 6. All of them are readers and that makes me happy. Let me tell you how happy.
Several years ago after being married for 20 years, I was divorced. Of course it was hard for my kids. That’s an understatement. It was so difficult that for a period of about 2 years I was estranged from my middle daughter. It was one of the hardest periods of my life.
Then one day the phone rang. It was her. She had been reading my Facebook page and saw a post I wrote about the wonderful Laurie Halse Anderson. I had written to Laurie after hearing her speak at a convention and I was so excited (Nerdy Book Club Alert!) that she had written me back. Laurie is also one of my daughter’s favorite authors. My daughter wanted to know if I had REALLY had an email from her. I said yes. Then my daughter said, “I love writing and I love reading. That is so much a part of who I am and I know that part of me comes from you.”
We met for coffee and started a conversation that set us on the road to reconciliation. I remember that day we talked a lot about books; what we had read, what we were reading, what we were anxiously waiting to come out. We talked about books we loved, characters we hated, and which authors really needed to write a little faster because we couldn’t wait to see what happened next. It was safe territory. The books drew us together again. They were a common ground where we could stand and see the future.
Since that day we have shared and discussed so many new favorites with each other. It’s not unusual for me to get a text from her that just says something like, ‘Page 127!!!’ or ‘You won’t believe who been cast for Peeta!!’ We had to order 2 copies of The Fault in Our Stars because neither of us could stand to wait and read it second. Books make our lives sweeter and richer.
I knew as a young mother that reading to my children was important, but I never imagined at the time that it would one day bring my daughter back to me. When you open a book to share with someone, you never know the power it may hold to change a life- maybe even your own.
Do I love books?
Oh yeah.
I sure do.
Sherry Hall is an Instructional Specialist in Arlington, Texas. She is the author of a picture book, Tallulah and the Three Cowgirls, and is working on a novel…still…You can read her thoughts on whatever topic she happens to think of at sherryville@livejournal.com.
What a great post, it really shows the power of books and how the ideas they contain can connect us and move us. I know that books saved my life when I was young and my world was chaotic. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you! I am overwhelmed at the responses. I was a little worried the story was too personal. I appreciate the positive feedback.
Wow wow…what a great post.Thank you so much for sharing. And this:
“When you open a book to share with someone, you never know the power it may hold to change a life- maybe even your own.”
So true. There is a power in books and story that is magic.
Thank you!
Wow, thank you for sharing such a significant experience.
As above, this line strikes my heart:
“…you never know the power it may hold to change a life- maybe even your own.”
By the way, you’re a heck of a writer, too, not entirely unrelated to your life as a reader, I’m sure.
Thanks Sandy. Writing and reading certainly go hand in hand don’t they?
Wow. This post just did me in – haven’t even had coffee yet and I feel like I now need extra powerful and extra black! What an emotional and beautiful post. How lovely that the gift of reading and love of books brought your daughter back to you. Thank you for sharing such a personal story. It just confirms what we all believe – the power of books is huge. And always more powerful than we think . . .
Thank you! Books and coffee keep us going!
What a powerful post! So thankful for your “happy ending.”
Thank you so much!
Wow. I got goosebumbs. I LOVE your story. The power of books cannot be overstated. I made a connection with your story of you and your precious daughter (my son and I). It brought back wonderful memories and the best part of our conversations are about books. Thank you for your wonderful post. I hope it inspires all mothers to read with their children, no matter what age they are.
Judy, I know you have a unique insight into this since we were office mates while it was happening! Thak you for your sweet comment. Love you!
How wonderful. Have you shared this post with Laurie Halse Anderson? I know she would love to read it.
I did share with Laurie several months ago. She wrote me another wonderful reply. I know she is a busy lady and so I appreciated her taking the time to personally respond to me.
What a wonderful post! I loved this line: “When you open a book to share with someone, you never know the power it may hold to change a life- maybe even your own.”
Books do change lives. They have definitely made my life better.
Thank you for sharing your story!
Thanks Cynthia. I knew I was not alone, but all of the wonderful responses confirmed it.
That’s an amazing story! Who knew the power books could have in our lives!
Sherry,
Very moving post. As you know, I, too, LOVE books. I escape into them when times are rough, and so I feel like they’ve saved my life also.
And, thanks for lending me The Fault In Our Stars, and for all your help!!!
Michelle Shelton