Reading

I grew up reading anything and everything I could get my hands on. The library and I became great friends, and books as gifts made me feel like the luckiest girl alive.

As I got older I formed opinions - I learned things I did and did not like in a story, I realized there were genres that didn't appeal to me, and in college I learned as an English major you sometimes read really obscure things.

I don't think I fully appreciated how much of a gift reading is until I tutored P - and realized how much I take for granted going about my everyday business.

I was checking out at a bookstore earlier today - I'd picked up a couple Christmas gifts - and as the cashier started going into the speech about did I want to become a member, I started to tune him out. But then he asked, "would you like to donate a book to help underprivileged children?" He started talking about price points for books and I was transported back to the library a few years ago, watching P who was pushing 30, get his first ever library card. When the cashier continued, "every donation helps," I picked up a book from the donation pile and handed it to him. I was fighting back tears, thinking about how much books and reading changed my life, and how some people don't have that opportunity.

Today I am thankful for reading, and all it's done to shape me into who I am.

What are you thankful for today?