Day 12 of Thankfulness - Books

To some this may seem odd, but for someone like me, books are a source of comfort, creativity, and constant learning.

As a very small child, I learned to read and never stopped.  I always have at least one book that I am reading.  Jenny and I had a set of bunk beds as children.  One went across parallel to the wall and the other came out under the top bed perpendicular to the wall.  There was a small dresser under the top bunk and behind it was the perfect cubby hole.  I made that my reading area.  I had a small clip on lamp and a pillow and blanket stashed back there.  When Jenny would go to bed (and IMMEDIATELY fall asleep), I would crawl in my special spot and read.  As we got older, the cubby hole didn't work anymore.  There were many nights when she would wake up and yell at me to turn off my bedside lamp and go to sleep.  In the summertime, I would often stay up half the night finishing a good book.  I loved Little House on the Prairie, Anne of Green Gables, The Babysitter's Club, Sweet Valley High and mysteries.  I read classics like Pride and Prejudice, To Kill a Mockingbird and The Great Gatsby for school.  My friend, Noel, introduced me to The Thornbirds and Maeve Binchy's Circle of Friends.  I have read every book of Ms. Binchy's since high school. 

I loved going to the public library and remember it was a BIG deal when I got my own library card to keep in my wallet and didn't have to leave it at the library behind the desk.  I would ride the bus to the library after school and my mom would pick me up an hour later.  I would go downstairs and the time would pass without my noticing.  I devoured biographies and historical fiction.  I fell in love with Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind.  My friends, Emily and Amanda and I would trade books back and forth and talk about them.  In many ways, books got me through tough times in my life because when I read them, I was instantly somewhere else.  I would read and feel like I was actually in the book.  The characters would become so real to me.  I always hated when a really good book ended!

Even now, I love to read.  I may not have quite as much time for it as I once did and finishing a good book may not happen quite so quickly!  In the summer I really try to read more.  I take the boys to the library about once a week and we all check out books.  In the winter, I try to have a book on standby for the long days and snow days.  Greg gave me a Kindle for Christmas last year and I have enjoyed reading books on there lately.  I have a few waiting for me to read them right now!

I am grateful for the truth God's word speaks to me and I am grateful that we have free access to the Bible in our country.  In so many places in our world, people are not afforded such freedoms and smuggle Bibles or share one copy among many people.  I want to strive to read my Bible even more than I currently do.  There is so much applicable truth in HIS word that I need etched on my heart and mind to combat things the world seeks to distract me with and hurl in my path.

I cannot imagine a world without books - can you?

What are you reading right now?

I am reading through the three book series that includes The Giver, Gathering Blue and The Messenger by Lois Lowry.  I read The Giver a few years ago when I was teaching middle school.  One of our teachers at school is going through these books with her class and loaned me the latter two to read.  I am re-reading The Giver to remind me of the story.  (It has been about 10 years since I read it!)  I am looking forward to being able to discuss them with the middle school students.