Friday, June 8, 2012

One More Book

"Books are the plane, and the train, and the road.
They are the destination and the journey.
They are home."

Anna Quindlen
Find it here.
June is the month that I set aside for sorting through 
the scraps of paper I collect throughout the year.
Today, I tackled a drawer that contained
--among other things-- 
receipts for school supplies, perfume samples, 
thank you notes, and papers with quotes.
Among the fluttering mess, I found the above quote.
Somehow, I want to use this quote in my classroom!
My relationship with books goes back to my earliest memories.
This may have something to do with primarily 
being a sight learner; I am compelled to read.  

Anna Quindlen wrote an essay, "On Being A Mom",
that always brings tears to my eyes.
(I've linked the essay at a blog that will inspire you with its photography!) 
I'm living in unknown territory this summer, 
with our 19-year-old son home from college.  
He is trying not to chafe against a curfew.  
We are trying not to ask too many questions.
He is managing his own work schedule.
We are managing to give him the freedom to fail.

Where do I go to process this new territory?
Books...but not necessarily books about parenting young adults.
When I am reading, there is another track being traveled.  
My heart seems to shake and sort the details 
of my subconscious and conscious thoughts.  
At the end of a half hour with a book, 
things are clearer, answers are settled.

At the moment, I'm rereading 
"All Is Vanity", by Christina Schwarz
The characters make me want to be a better writer, 
to notice and describe the things I tend to forget.

What is your relationship with books?

4 comments:

  1. One of our reading mentors this year taught my kids that books change your heart. I so loved that message. I'd like to make that more of a theme in my room. To teach my kids how to read is one thing. To teach them what books can do for their hearts is another. Thanks for this post Chrissy.
    ❀ Tammy
    Forever in First

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  2. What a beautiful, thoughtful post. Books have changed my life. I always have two or three going at the same time. People often ask me how I find time and I tell them I have to or I don't feel whole. It is how I learn about the world around me. I love books of all kinds. As I pack up my room I look at all the books I have purchased and I want to take them with me but I can't and it makes leaving harder...
    Fran

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  3. An eloquent post. I love that quote too. My relationship with books has changed a lot over the year. I read so often as a kid/teenager-- I always had a book in my hands. Now I read so much for work, I don't take enough time to read for fun. I am however, trying to make an effort to change that and read more. Really great reminder.

    NotJustChild'sPlay

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  4. Love, love your post. I find myself reading to find new books for my class, reading professional books to enhance my knowledge, and needing to spend more time reading for myself!!
    Again, thanks for the great post!
    Robynn
    BusyBees

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Thanks for being part of my story!