"I'll always love my mama. She's my favorite girl...you only get one."
~The Intruders
Mother, may I talk to you? You don't have to say a word. Just listen:
Since I was a little girl, I've always loved libraries! The books, the tables, the quiet, the smells, the library cards, the severe sound the stamp made on the card at checkout..even the librarians were included in the conglomeration of the most amazing nouns I've ever known! I'm so grateful to my mom for introducing me to libraries and books. If I had to guess, she started reading to me as I snuggled in her womb.
As I grew up, my mom read to me until I learned to read, then I had to read to her. Sometimes, we'd be in the same room on the opposite ends of the couch, reading. The silence didn't matter to me. What did matter was, I was with her, she was with me, we were with our books and magazines and newspapers. I did the same for and with my children because I wanted to be like my mom.
My mom always made sure I had my own library at home. As an adult, every home I've had housed a library or library area in honor of her. I'll never forget my first book club--the Dr. Seuss Book Club--where the company sent a red or blue book holder and your first book. My mom even made sure I had my very own magazine subscription to "Highlights!" And, I felt so grown up when she gave me my very own library card! To date, our trips to the library together, or being in her library with her, remain some of my best times with my mom.
She introduced me to R.I.F. (Reading Is Fundamental), Book Fairs, and in my neighborhood, the book mobile was better than the ice cream truck! These events with my mom introduced me to some of my favorite tomes (at least that's how they appeared to me): Encyclopedia Brown, Amelia Bedelia, The Berenstain Bears and so many more.
Then, as a teenager, I'll never forget when my mom gave me the V.C. Andrews collection. They were my windows to the world of exploration, imagination, fantasies and definitely possibilities. They were her signal to me that I was growing up.
Although my mom is SO much more to me than the woman who gave me books and read to and with me, our souls are connected by books, reading and our love of both. Since reading is her favorite thing, and she shared that gift with me, it's my clue that through this gesture, she shared an important part of herself with me--her heart. I'll safe keep it and treasure it for my entire life. In honor of National Women's History Month, I celebrate, love and trust YOU Mommy!
Instructions: Use the starter, "Mother may I talk to you? You don't have to say a word. Just listen:" Then, write a tribute or open letter to your mother or other special woman in your life.
INCLUDE: First initial AND last name AND class period.
CAUTION!! Do NOT embarrass me, yourself, your class, the English department, the school or your parents with tasteless, meaningless comments. This is for a grade.
Due: Fri., April 1, 2016 11:59 p.m. CST