Reading

I've always, in the back of my mind, referred to myself as a reader. I can remember back to being about 6 years old and loving books. I would go the the book fairs and buy up books like crazy every chance I got. To be honest though... I wasn't a reader, but I loved the IDEA of reading. I had a cute fascination as a young child with a Shakespeare book that I had found. I planned to read it up.. memorize it... and wittingly quote it in my daily goings. The truth is, I tried to read it, couldn't get past all of the weird words, and gave up.


Reading was something I longed to do, but never put the effort into. I didn't have the attention span or the ability to sit still long enough to delve into a book the way one would need to. I carried this with me most of the time growing up. In high school, I avoided English classes that made you read too much. I had friends who would have 4-6 books they would have to read over the summer and report on for fall classes. What?!? Why would anyone waste their summer reading?? This was my sad sad idea of life. The older I got the less interested I became. Until... recently. Or well.... the last 6 years or so.



When my husband and I started dating I quickly learned of his adoration of books, learning, and reading. He had a beautiful collection started and he always had a book or two he was reading. He never went anywhere without a book. This sparked that "inner reader" in me. I wanted to read. I was still in college at the time, and convinced myself that I didn't have time for books, BUT asked him to get me started. On weekends when I'd visit him in Tulsa we'd both cuddle up on the couch with a book or spend HOURS in Borders looking for something new. This was fun. It was "our" thing. These first few month together shaped our future and my desire to learn, read, and grow.

As of late, I have realized how much I love books, and how fast I read (this can be quite disappointing too) Since the start of December I've read about 9 books. For some of you this might not be a lot, but for a mom who works a full-time job, is taking a class at school, and is in bed asleep by 1030... I am pretty pleased with my reading.

I have also slowed my reading in an attempt to not finish the current series I am reading before May. We are going to Mexico and I want nothing more than to sit on my tush, soak up some sun, and read for 10 days straight :)

I guess all of this is to say... I want to teach my son to love reading as much as his father has taught me to love reading. It's a great escape and a chance to shape your mind and imagination... no matter what you are reading or how old you are.