One of my fondest memories as a child was when I would read, but it didn't stop there; it was the fact that I would see many of my relatives pick up a book and read. When I was in school, I would take my current book selection with me out to recess and sit down by the nun's convent that was attached to our school playground. I distinctly remember Sister Concetta (name changed to protect her identity) coming up to me and saying, "Tammy, recess is for recreation." Never one to disrespect my elders (especially nuns) I replied, "Yes, Sister," and I stood up with my book in my hand and walked around the perimeter of the playground...while reading my book. Upon returning to our classroom that day, Sister Concetta smiled and motioned for me to come to her desk; I approached wondering what she needed. "Tammy," she said, "didn't you want to play at recess?" I looked at her quizically and responded, "Oh yes, Sister, and I did...in my imagination as I read my book and traveled to distant places at the same time." She took my hand in hers and patted it saying, "I wish all of my students loved reading as much as you do."
I will remember that conversation forever as not only did Sister Concetta encourage me to continue reading, but she also showed me that my version of recreation was just as important as the person who played kickball, baseball, or any other number of fun activites. To me, reading was (and always will be) FUN! As I became a little older, I began to collect more books and would even have my own sort of library for my classmates. I kept a list of who "took out" my books and when they were due back and I also had a "waiting list" for who was next in line to "check out' one of my books. (Can you say reading nerd for sure??? HAHAHA)
I remember my great aunts having stacks of books on their nighstands, just waiting to be read! My aunts became used to me borrowing one book after another and they would smile each time I would bring a book back only to choose another right away. (To this day, if I could read 24/7/365, I would do so without regret!) I would watch my maternal grandmother work crossword puzzles and be the best at solving the puzzle on Wheel of Fortune...Grandma was so darn smart! From a young age, I knew that was because she read. My own mom loves reading magazines and has an assortment of Good Housekeeping, Better Homes and Gardens, First, and many others around their home to this day! (She has the greatest tips for me from so many articles!)
When I became pregnant with my firstborn, I began to read "to my belly." I wanted the baby to know my voice, but to also hear books and stories before being born. (I did this with each subsequent pregnancy as well.) Reading to my babies was one of my favorite things to do and I was so proud when they began to read on their own. We would go to the library, the bookstore, storytime...anywhere to immerse them in the world of books! To this very day, they have all the books from their childhood, and each one has a message written in the front cover by me or another family member. Sometimes, I will show them a book from days past and say with a tear in my eye,"Do you remember when..." and they will smile and remember the days when reading together was the best part of each day. Due to all of these reasons 9and countless more,) I have come to realize that teaching a child to read will be a gift to them each day of their lives.
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