It’s a very rainy day today. On days like this, my favorite thing to do is disappear into a book. Sitting on the couch with a lap quilt, drinking tea, and listening to the rain in the background as I read is my happy place.

My mother instilled in me a gift that will keep giving all of my days – my love of reading.

As far back as I can remember, my mom has been a voracious reader. She always had a book that she was reading – always.

As a small child, I began to mirror her behavior. I started reading a lot as soon as I was able. It was my favorite summer pastime.

I had a ritual that I modeled after what I read in “A Tree Grows In Brooklyn”. I didn’t have a stoop under a spindly tree to read beneath, but I did have an adult sized bean bag chair. I would get a small plate down, put a few saltine crackers, some cheese, and a pickle on it. I’d get a tall glass of water, and the current novel I was reading, and I’d nestle into the bean bag, until I found a cozy spot. There I spent hours reading, snacking on my salty snack, reading as fast as my mind would let me.

I still reread some of my favorite books from my adolescence, as it is like visiting an old friend. It’s always bittersweet having to say goodbye to these fictional characters as I come to the end of the story.

Reading is a great gift – and a love of reading is a wonderful thing to foster in your children or grandchildren.