Reading Books

Reading has been a favorite pastime of mine since...well I don't know when, at least as long as I can remember. As a young girl it was a problem when I was supposed to be working. I had no self control when there was a new book in the house, it simply had to be read!!As a teenager growing up on a farm it was my job to wash the cows during milking. Well I got this brilliant idea that I could sit on the express wagon and read inbetween washing cows. I only tried that one evening and then my dad was tired of that! I would get engrossed in my book and then I did not get the cows washed by the time the milker was ready for that cow.I think he probably did not like his boring milking partner either. My dad was a very social person. And I think I probably know how he felt because I don't like  when my boys get buried in there phones and only nod at me when I speak to them. But I loved to read. I read true stories, indian stories, slavery stories, Anabaptist stories,and just anything that Mom would buy.And I still never had enough book. Whenever I would fuss about, Nothing to Read, My Dad would ask" Don't you have a Bible"?Well of course I had a Bible.
 When I got married and had children I got interested in baby books. And marriage books became my new favorite.You know books on how to have a happy marriage as well as child training books and mothering sons.And my collection kept growing! I bought books at book stores, thrift stores, goodwills, mail orders etc.
 Jonathan also enjoyed reading before he had the stroke and it was not unusual if we both read after the children were in bed. After his stroke comprehension was a problem so reading was not very much fun for him, in fact it was hard work. But he still left me get all the books I ever wanted. I didn't tho'. One year when we were at the marriage seminar( by the way, we loved going to those seminars) I was looking at the books on display.I was shocked to discover that I barely had any of those marriage books and I tho't I had a lot of books. I told hon about it and he got his funny look on his face and said" Well you need to get them".Of course he was going to  urge me to get those books, afterall they taught me how to be a better wife.

Alvin and Wanda Zook with us in Mexico May 2014
 

 Time and change took place in our home and my books changed too. I was attracted to books that encouraged mother and son relationships, books that taught flexability and stability. When cancer entered our home I read books about health, nutrition, herbs, home remedies,etc. Google also became a good source of info and I poured over it day and night. But it is true, google, and any kind of electronic device will never take the place of a book. Who wants to cozy up in a blanket with a gadget to read? Not me...I need to feel a book, turn its pages and hold it in my hands. I need the smell of paper and hear the rustle of the pages. I can even take a book to bed and let it speak to me. Yes books are my comfort, but my taste has changed again.
 Now I am reading books written by widows, books that teach me how to grieve, books that walk me through this hard valley, books that tell me my feelings are normal.These books I did not want!! I did not want to need these books. Marriage books are much more fun!!
 I will spend more on books then I will on sweaters or other clothes that normal women buy. But just think about it... how many sweaters can speak to your heart, how many dresses last for generations and can be shared and passed around to others. Yes, I love books, they make me feel rich even when I'm not, they look great on the bookshelf, and they are always ready and waiting to be picked up and looked at.

Taking a stroll in Mexico April 2014
 

 My dad did not enjoy reading, it was hard for him to read. That was back before the day of dyslexia but likely that was his problem. However he read his Bible every day. I can still see him on his recliner and slowly reading out loud. I'm so happy that I have that memory of him.
 Books will take us places we may never get to go in person. Books will  inspire you to become a better person , books will give you more sermons then you can ever hear in a lifetime. I can learn from others mistakes, I can gain wisdom from there trial and error, and I can decide to take advice on issues I am not experienced in. The written page and ability to read is a gift, a real gift that not everyone is blessed with.
 Rain is abundant and rainbows are frequent. We have felt God's Touch on us through the many rainbows. He never fails HIs Promise and a rainbow is that gentle reminder that he has not forgotten us.