Reading Opens up all doors for your future

Reading is so very important.

When I was very little my Grandmother came to stay with us for days at a time. I can remember her arriving at the train station and we would go and pick her up.

When we got back to our house my younger brother and I would ask with excitement what was in her bag. She always told us "nothing for you, and nothing for you", but we knew different. Because every single time she arrived, in her bag would be a surprise.

We would wait till she was not looking (I am now sure she was pretending) and then we would head to the bottom of her huge bag. Sure enough Grandma would have a bag of goodies waiting for both of us.

To our delight it would be a little gift - sometimes lollies, sometimes a toy, but most of the time it would be a little book. I can remember my eyes lighting up with pleasure when she would turn around and spring us in the act, taking out our parcel from her bag.

She would then try and frown at us and give us a scolding for looking where we were not supposed to look. Of course every single time she would end up laughing so much that we all would be crying tears of laughter. She then would sit us both down next to her and read us a story. They were the best times...sitting and listening to the words jump off the book and turn into a fantasy. Listening so intently so I did not miss a word because I knew she would then ask me what the story was about.

Looking back on those times brings back the fondest memories. Having her arms around me for a hug and leaning over to give me a kiss. I knew at that moment that I was loved, I was cherished and I was important to someone.

And those feelings came from just reading. It did not matter what the book was about, I just knew from a very young age, that reading opened my world to many possibilities. When I was sad, I would read. When I was happy, I would read. My Grandmother taught the foundation for reading, and would stress how important reading as a skill was to life.

She had a love of reading. Whenever I was at her house her coffee table was covered in books from the library, from buying them at book stores, or even getting them for bargains at second hand book stores.

She knew from a little age that her life could grow through books. See she was not rich in money, and she was not rich with travel but she was rich with experiencing life through books. For all children, and for adults as well, reading will transform your whole life. Even if you are told "your too stupid, you will amount to nothing", grab hold of the person inside of you and believe in yourself. Grow through books. Challenge your life, let it grow. Reading will take you to another whole new level in your life, one full of amazing life changing moments.

Even if you do not enjoy reading, think of your passion. Is it sport? Is it craft? Is it Cooking? And find your passion through reading. You can even read the sports section of the newspaper! That is still reading.

Give to the next generation what my wonderful late Grandma gave to me. Give yourself freedom. Give your self choice. Take hold of your life and pick up a book. Immerse yourself in the words and the experiences, move your life forward and take your fantasy with you. Love reading and reading will show you how to love yourself.

Having five boys, I have tried to give them the same love of books. Reading to them all from a young age, and getting them to read as soon as possible. Fostering the same warm feelings that I had as a young child, into my boys life has always been important.

Seeing them grab a book and disappear into their own little world for hours on end, letting their little person develop within a story line, is the most amazing experience to watch. They let the book take over their world while they are reading it. Be it for a little time, or for hours on end, their world has become different. Books open their souls and help to develop who they will become. Opening all the doors to life. Amazing to see how they do grow, and to see where they will go from here. I do know one thing, Reading is really important for a persons soul.

Thank you Grandma from the bottom of my heart, you showed me how to be the person I am.

Thanking you in advance for reading this hear. What to see more of my thoughts? Head on over to squidoo.com and see lisasboutique, where I wrote on how I raise five boys and stay sane!!