An Undying Love

Books were a major part of my childhood from almost the moment I was born.  Being a teacher and a book lover herself, my mom would read to me constantly when I was an infant.  My father's family snickered at her.  "Look at her readin' to her," they'd say.  "It's not like she can understand."  My mom understood however, and she kept on reading.

Some of my earliest memories are of going to the library as a toddler and picking out books to take home.  I of course had my favorites which would always make the cut and immediately got put in the bag.  Though I immediately went for those favorites, I would always find new things to try.  My mom and I would slowly make our way through the children's section and I would pick out titles and authors that I had never read.  I did not have a time limit nor did I have a book limit, and each visit would last a couple of hours and result in dozens of books making the trip home.

As soon as I learned to write my name I had my own library card and I can still remember how proud I was to print my name on the back.  There was a children's counter that was just the right height for pint sized book lovers and it was so awesome to hand my library card and stack of books to the assistant for the first time.  I was checking my books out all by myself!  I had a huge grin on my face and couldn't wait to get home and read!

My mom taught me that reading is not just about getting from the first word to the last word as quickly as possible.  Reading is a journey.  It is a journey that is always exciting and new.  A journey that can take you to places you've never been and could never hope to be.  A journey that can introduce you to others' thoughts and ideas which in turn can help you form new ideas of your own.  A journey that can show you new people and new worlds.  A journey that is filled with excitement and joy, yet has moments of sorrow, heartache and pain.  A journey that can teach you important life lessons if only you will listen.  A journey that can answer all of your questions and even some you have yet to think of.

                                                                                   

Reading is a journey that begins with a book.

I don't mean an e-book that you read on your Kindle, your i-phone, or your PC.  I mean an honest to goodness old fashioned book.

You see, the journey you embark on when reading is not created just from the words you see.  Please do not misunderstand me.  The words are an extremely important aspect, and indeed without them there would be no journey.  But the words alone do not make the journey as fulfilling as it can be.  Why use only your eyes when you can also use your nose, ears and hands which will allow you to embark on a much more satisfying and exhilarating voyage?

Think of it in terms of your favorite sport or your favorite musician.  If given the option, would you rather see them in person than watch them on TV or listen to them on your i-pod?  Yes, the outcome of the game is going to be the same whether you are in the stadium or in your living room.  And yes, Adele is going to sing the same songs as the ones you have on your i-pod, but there is something about the live experience that makes it better.

There are things about books that heightened my reading journeys as a child and still heighten them today.  I love the crispness of new books and the wonderful crinkle noise the hardbacks make when they are first opened.  I love the slightly musty smell of books and the distinctive feel of the different types of paper.  I love how old books are strong yet vulnerable, and I love knowing that other people who have held that same book in their hands embarked on a voyage similar to the one I am about to experience.  I love the feeling I get when I grasp the corner of the page and wait with growing anticipation to when I've read the last word and can finally turn the page to continue my journey.  I love that split second of suspense when the page is in motion and I wonder if the story is going to play out as I expect it or want it to.  I love taking the bookmark out to allow my voyage to continue, and I love that when I put the bookmark back I can physically see how far my adventure has advanced.  I love the satisfying feeling I receive when my journey is finished and I can finally close the book for better or for worse.

Yes the story would be exactly the same if I read an e-book.  It would have the same words, the same characters, the same plot, and the same outcome.  My journey, however, would be different.  It would be missing those extra little things that would make it that much more special.  I would be watching the game in my living room, not in the stadium.

My book doesn't need a battery.

                                                                                                 Does yours?