Reading with Mama

In 2013, my Mama went to be with God. Daddy passed away years ago in 1998. I was blessed to have parents who taught me valuable life lessons and also shared their love of reading. Some of my favorite childhood and adult moments were reading with Mama.

My parents both worked full-time. Daddy often worked at two different jobs. When Mama had a day off, she took me to the local library or bookmobile. When school was in session, we went to the library in the evenings. Mama parked in the gravel parking lot of the old historic building in Virginia and we entered through the back door.

The stillness of the rooms as we entered the library always caught my attention. Voices speaking in low tones. People placed their selections on the counter and waited to have the card in the back of the book stamped and dated. Times certainly have changed since then.

As Mama began looking up and down the rows and shelves of books in hopes of finding something interesting to read, I walked through the “grown-up” area and found my way to the children’s room. Items were displayed on holders so children could see the choices. The bookcases were lower in height to make viewing easier. The card catalog was positioned by the front desk.

I chose stories about animals, people, and now and then, a joke book. With my choices made, I found a place in line and waited to “check out” my choices. Having a library card meant I didn’t have to wait for Mama to get my books for me.

With a collection of stories in my hands, I walked back to find Mama. After she had found a book or two, and had the card stamped, we left for home.

Every other week, on Wednesday, the bookmobile would park in the local grocery store parking lot. The big van was filled inside with shelves of various kinds of stories to read. Fiction, non-fiction, and picture books were arranged in order according to the Dewey decimal system.

My eyes opened wide each time I stepped from the paved parking lot to the three steps to enter the van. If a storm was in the air, and the wind blew hard, the four wheels of the van bounced like a carnival ride. Yet, we stayed inside the bookmobile.

The driver of the library on wheels sat and waited for each person to finish with their choices and bring them to the front of the van. I was amazed to think that the same person who drove the van was also the one to be in charge of the books.
I also wondered if anything fell off of the shelves when the vehicle made a sharp turn. Interesting how the young mind works.

Whether our reading selection was from the library or the bookmobile, this time shared with Mama was important. Arriving back at home, Mama would sit in the brown recliner in the den. She opened the book of choice and began reading. A tissue or a piece of paper became her bookmark.

I would find a spot on the carpeted floor and start reading. We sat together, in silence, as we both became immersed in a story. The amount of time spent in the den was different every day, depending on how much we were enjoying what we were reading.

On hot, summer days, Mama and I visited a local beach in the afternoon. With lawn chairs, towels from the linen closet, flip-flops, and a can of soda for each of us, we found the perfect spot in the sand.
Mama began reading while I played on the edge of the water until I was ready to rest.

There were also afternoons shared in the backyard of our home. Mama sat in a lawn chair, reading, and pausing now and then to sip homemade sweet tea that Daddy had made for us. I sat cross-legged on a blanket or towel and watched her read. Sometimes, I brought my book outside.

Both of my parents loved the power of the written word. I am thankful they shared the love of reading and writing with me. Children absorb what is happening around them. Even when there are no conversations and the air is quiet, love can be shared through common interests.

As I became a teenager and my moods changed daily, there was always the constant of knowing I could find joy in reading. Some of Mama’s favorite authors became my favorites, too.

Reading with children can create precious memories that last a lifetime. Reading the Bible is a wonderful way to bond with young ones and for them to learn Scripture.

I am thankful for the times of reading with Mama.

Have you shared the library or bookmobile with a child?

“honor your father and your mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 19:19 NIV)

Blessings,
Melissa Henderson