So I planned to close this blog but I can’t figure out how to print it all and I don’t want to lose everything that brings me to–I guess I’d better write to justify its existence.
I’m going to start by writing about something that brings me great joy–reading. Not mine, but my girls.
i like to read My mother likes to read. My grandmother loves to read. I always assumed my daughters would love to read…alas, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Once, my mother even yelled at a family, “didn’t you think you would raise even ONE reader?” I felt this criticism deeply and felt ashamed that I didn’t…, especially as a homeschooler. But alas, Caitlyn only likes to read to learn things, ie Pinterest or other websites. Sue loves Graphic Novels and Patrice, well, she sees reading as an extension of school and isn’t a big fan. I, as a book snob, didn’t see graphic novels, or even audiobooks, as real reading so I was left with no readers.
Then, last summer, something changed, Caitlyn decided to volunteer at the local library. He comes every Thursday afternoon for two hours.
I hoped, but thought it was ridiculous to consider, that he fell in love with reading somehow while he was in the library…AND HE DID! He discovered that there were more books there than mommy had picked out in years.
Now, in my defense, he did pick something in the genre that I used to buy for him but they were a bit older than what I picked. But now, he reads a lot. Authors and titles I never thought of. He and his friends give books as gifts and hang out in bookstores! I was thrilled and am still thrilled. I’m sure I’m driving him crazy because I keep commenting here. I try not to but…I try.
Another thing that happened that helped my perspective–a year or so ago, maybe longer, I discovered audiobooks. I just don’t have all the time to read that I’d like but with an audiobook I can run and “read”–it’s amazing. And this past summer, I discovered graphic novels! I thought it was just that, novels–usually comics, but it turns out you can find biographies, histories, all kinds of things–I have two on hold at the library right now–which makes me even more acceptance of what Sue, and sometimes Patrice, loves to read.
I think mom could use an education and an attitude adjustment!
Don’t mind me, I’m just sitting here giddy as I watch my kids read all the different genres and formats!
Live until you Grow!
