What is your legacy? What did you inherit? What was handed down to you from someone in your past? A hefty bank account? A home? A prized possession? Or, was it something more intangible and even more precious?
I like watching The Antiques Roadshow. It’s always heart-warming when an item is brought to the show which may be priceless or, it may be worth very little money, but, to the owner, it is cherished and special. It’s not how much money it’s worth that’s important, but how much it means to someone.
My parents didn’t have a lot of worldly possessions to leave their children, but they left them a legacy of a good name, an inheritance of precious memories, and the memory of a mom and dad who loved us. They also left us a love of reading and a respect for books.
My mother read aloud to us children, re-told stories she had heard from childhood, and encouraged us to read on our own. Every one of her six children grew up loving books and reading. It is an inheritance we’ve passed down to our own children and grandchildren.
A book is that special friend who goes with me when I’m keeping night watch beside a hospital bed, or waiting in a doctor’s office, or wishing for morning to come. It’s that joyful friend who takes me by the hand and leads me to places I’ve never seen. I’ve solved mysteries, rejoiced in victories, sympathized with defeats, learned where I came from and found guidance for the road ahead, all through reading.
When I count my blessings, at the very top of my list is a mother who passed down to me her love of books. Reading–it’s a priceless legacy.
That is the best legacy to leave of all.
I agree, Deb. It is lasting, never wears out, and has lots and lots of possibilities.
Blanche, you’ve blessed me twice in this post! First as I saw the picture of one of the old books I gave you with the name of my hometown, Boise, on the cover and then as I read your words about the legacy of reading!
Both my parents loved to read and even though we didn’t have an inside toilet, my Dad somehow provided a junior classics/autobiography book of the month club for us! I still have some!
What a wonderful reminder of my true legacy despite poverty!
Thank you! Can you see me smiling? : )
Fran, it’s so good to read your comment and we can stay connected even though you’ve moved away. Yes, indeed, that is the cover of the book you gave me! Thank you again and to my readers: the credit for this picture belongs to my friend Fran. Yes, it is an example of how important reading was to both sets of our parents when, even though money was in short supply, somehow they still provided books. I’m so glad you enjoyed this post.