Reading

Another question post passed through my feed on Facebook awhile ago. I donated 2 or 3 seconds of my ever present poor attention span and considered its worth. If the posts don't grab me by then, I'm quickly a scrolling fool again. This one stopped long enough that now an hour later I am still thinking about it.

What Books Have Changed Your Life?

At first I followed directions and tried to think of the books that might have changed my life. In my mind I began to line up previous books I had read in my past. More than few held up their hands, some even shook those hands while screaming, "Pick me, Oooh ooh pick me".

As the line became longer and the titles grew more loudly anxious to be at the top of the list, I decided there was no one book I could point to that changed my life. I can only imagine their disappointment and all the expletives mumbled  as they returned to the back rows they ran down from.

Not being able to answer the question quickly and with assurance that this was the book does not mean there was no book. It means that I was caught flat footed by the question with no quick answer at the ready.

I made coffee, finished emptying the dishwasher and considered what I would surprise my wife with for dinner. I smiled then at the thought of me cooking. It doesn't happen as often as it should I guess and when it does, thankfully, I often pull it off. It would be a bitch to cook and fail. I'd be a real sad sack then. ....

Back on track Mike........ Jeezum.

I decided that it was not a book but learning to read a book that changed my life. A fact I have taken for granted these past 70 years. Of all the things I learned, how to swim, drive a car, and how to properly wear a holster when playing cowpokes and indian folks, reading is without a doubt the most valuable tool I picked up to help me make it from the cradle to the grave. 

But if I was cornered and had to pick the one book that changed my life, ................... It would be the first book I read out loud for one or both of my parents. According to the story my mom told me, I read "Little Engine" out loud before I was four. I think though, the truth of it might be that I had memorized the text after having it read to me multiple times multiple times before I was asked to read it myself. And again maybe not.

Keep it 'tween the ditches .............................................

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Music for this post is "Paperback Writer" - the Beatles. Enjoy the memories.