Monday, March 7, 2011

Bookworm in the Making

I grew up a voracious reader. LITERALLY. ( When I was pregnant I wanted to eat my books – I found out later that  I was iron-deficient ) but I thought it was funny at the time because all my life I loved reading so much that no matter where I was, as long as I had a book to read, all was right with the world.

I escaped into my books from long boring car rides, many family boat trips, shopping trips for carpet, furniture and new boats. I escaped from boat shows, dry dock, early spring weekends spent getting the boat ready for summer, football practices, and Sunday football. (My Dad’s favorite team was The Browns, therefore lots of screaming ensued and I spent most Sunday’s hiding in my room)




I watched my Mom and Grandma read just as passionately. I aggravated the heck out of my Dad with my ability to not hear or see a thing going on around me. I don’t think he quite understood that reading a book was even better than looking out a window on a car trip.

I was reading Mafia novels in the third grade, Stephen King by 5th, and the Classics through middle school. One of my most favorite days of all time (I have several of them locked away in my memory) is a day in late spring. It was unseasonably warm for Ohio, and I was in early pregnancy with my second child. I was so tired and nauseous. The hubby took our son who was a handful away for the entire day and I never left the bed reading two full books. I forgot to eat, didn’t have to get up more than twice and the fresh air blew through our bedroom window while I read. If you know me by now, momentous days can be marked by my memory of knowing exactly what I was wearing. I won’t bore you with the details but I can remember my exact pj’s and I even remember what our sheets and comforter looked like.

I have never had a day exactly like that since then, BUT over the past few weeks I have seen myself, my Mom and my Grandma in my daughter. She is starting to become lost in her books. I love to see it but I know I’m going to miss her while she is away in all the worlds she has yet to explore.

Last night, we were playing cards with the girls and were surprised how fast our youngest picked up the game and became a little card shark. We were also amused that our voracious reader picked up her book and read between hands. The hubby gave me a look and I said, “I completely understand, and I also understand how my Dad must have felt all at the same time.”

She played those cards while also reading her book. Just like I would have.

I know I have lot of years to see myself in her and her sister, but this glimpse was an especially fun one to see – like an old friend.

The Reader and The Cardshark


Unlike when I was yelling something from the bedroom and I heard the girls tell my husband I sounded JUST LIKE my Mom. (sorry Mom –I’ll try to represent you better next time!)

11 comments:

Oilfield Trash said...

Awesome post.

I see myself in my kids all the time in how they act, what they do, what they eat, etc.

And I was the same as you when I was a kid. I read all the time.

Cheeseboy said...

Well, my kid does NOT take after me. I never read and he sounds a lot like you when you were a kid. Although he doesn't read Mafia novels... that I know of.

Miss Bee said...

Oh - I love that you love to read! And I love that your daughter loves to read! I know I've lost hours of my life to books, but is it really losing them if you're doing something you love?

Hey Monkey Butt said...

Awe I love reading, but it came with age. I wasn't this way when I was young. I can only hope my daughter watching me read so much will influence her! I love this post! :)

Kate Geisen said...

I love this post!! I was just like that! I'd read walking home from school. My dad was the one who was like that. It drives my husband crazy the way my oldest and I will get so completely wrapped up in what we're reading that we hear nothing. How fun to see your daughter growing up so like you in that. :)

And, unfortunately, I can sooo identify with the end of this post, too. All of the sudden my mom's voice and words just jump right out of my mouth. :-/

The Schweitzers said...

I love this. I learned to read (thank you Sesame Street) before I was in Kindergarten and haven't quit since! I started with Nancy Drew, moved up to Agatha Christie and LOVED Stephen King. Still do. If I read a particularly good book that was made into a movie, I didn't see the movie because nothing is quite as good as the way we see it in our heads. Although, I have read some good books because I saw the movie and just KNEW the book would be better!

Anonymous said...

I have students that read while they are walking down the hall. I love seeing that. I love to read too. I remember seeing my mom read all of the time. I must have inherited it.

Unknown said...

Great post. I am that way too, always with my head stuck in a book. Got it from my father, who is and was the same way. We still bond over exchanging books and love it.

Brian Miller said...

nice...i grew up under a love of books from my mom...it spread to me and nwo to my oldest....i love to read...and so does he....

congrats on the goddess award....

Everyday Goddess said...

I enjoyed this very much, so I gave you one of my weekly Goddess Awards. Come by anytime to collect it.

Happy Blogging!
~Elise

Kathe W. said...

this is indeed an awesome post- I remember being lost in my books- have a great Sunday-hope you can fit in a few hours of blissful reading!