The Day The World Changed

Since tomorrow is Mother’s Day, I’ve been thinking back about my Mom. She’s been gone for a long time, but never from my heart.

That memorable day really started a bit before….I think I must have been between 4 and 5 years old - and ever week, like clockwork, Mom and I would walk to the library. She had an old bag made of tapestry (later in school I wondered if the was one of the famous ‘carpet bagger’s bags) - and she would let me tote it on the way. In the library she would make a beeline for the non-fiction aisle and proceed to look over the selections on the shelves, picking out what looked interesting to her. She took her time, taking books out, reading the covers and inside flaps, then some went back on the shelf - others went into the bag. I watched her, and every week I wondered why she got so many books, and when she had time to read them all. Then we would make the return trip home, this time sharing the toting - as the bag was now full of books.

Later she told me she got so many books because, even though some looked interesting, they would turn out not to be, and she wanted enough to get through the week. I was always astonished that she could read so much! It was a mystery to me. Until that summer -

That was the year that the school board decided that a child needed to be 6 years old to start first grade - so, even though I had gone through kindergarten, when the next school year started, I would not be 6. The school, for that year only, would have a “Senior Kindergarten” for all of us not lucky enough to have that magic birthday by December 31. I felt like an outcast - one of those who couldn’t move up, like I was being punished for being born in February.

Then my mother decided that she wouldn’t wait for the school, it was high time i learned how to read! I have no memory of the actual practicing we must have done, or exactly how she did it. Then, a bit later, it was again time to go to the library. Out came the carpet bag, and off we went - my toting the bag, and my Mom with a small smile on her face. She knew what was coming, even if I didn’t. We entered the library, and instead of heading straight off to the non-fiction aisle, my Mom took me over to the children’s section, and brought me up to the shelves…..and then….it happened! I looked at a book with such a pretty picture on the cover - to this day I can see it - a pretty yard with a white picket fence, and a puppy. I looked at the book, and all of the sudden, my heart leaped - I…could…READ…the title! Oh, it was a revelation! That book SAID something! My Mom’s smile grew wider, and she got the book down, and gave it to me. I opened it up….and I could read the words….the sentences….it was a STORY! Now, logic says I would have had to practiced reading something in order to learn - but this moment is etched in my memory as the day I realized that this library was full of stories! And I could read them!!! I could not get enough!

That evening, the carpet bag was heavier than usual, for now it held a selection of books for both of us, and we had trouble toting that thing home. My Mom’s face was a picture of happiness - I know she knew that she had passed on her love of reading to me, and that was a wonderful accomplishment to her! She didn’t need school to teach me how, we did it together. And from that time on, the weekly trip to the library became an even more special tradition - for now we not only shared the time, we shared the books!

Thank you, Mom - for such a wonderful gift!

May 10, 2008 |

Comments

4 Comments so far

stewartallyn, Dads May 10, 2008 7:18 pm
Great memories are a wonderful gift, too.
Half-Past Kissin' time May 10, 2008 8:44 pm
Trysh, I can totally relate to this story. Mom took us to the library (city bus for us!) at least once per week. We’d check out books, magazines, records, and even paintings! Because we were “poor” and had so little, this was the greatest gift she could give us. As a result, we felt rich. To this day, all of us are readers. Sweet post.
RealWorldMom, Moms May 10, 2008 10:09 pm
What a wonderful memory, and a truly priceless gift that your mother shared with you. Thank you for letting us in on it! Happy Mother’s Day!
Bad Momma, Moms May 11, 2008 5:45 am
What a great memory. Our boys love to go to the library. I hope they will have great memories like this one. Happy Mother’s Day!