Reading Resolution

One of my new year’s resolutions is to read more. Lately, I haven’t been reading as much as I normally do and it is starting to bother me. Part of that is due to having a child and a full time family now. But, another part of that has been blogging. I want to learn how to juggle both in 2007, instead of forsaking one for the other.

So, to kick off this new year of blogging and reading, I figured I would blog about reading. My first post in 2007 is about the first book I can recall that holds a profound and special meaning for me. There have been so many books which have helped shaped who I am and the path my life has taken, that, from time to time, I hope to reveal some of the most important books that have held a special place in my heart for one reason or another. And, if I read any life changing books along the way, I will be sure to mention them as well! But for now, I want to share with you this first book, and then we’lll see how it goes later on.

The first book I can remember that is special to me was “It Was a Dark and Stormy Night, Snoopy”. In this book, Snoopy writes a story. I loved this book because it had a book-within-a-book, which I just found as utterly fascinating because it broke the normal book mold. That’s the kinda stuff that wows an eight year old. But, as an adult, it is still one of my favorites because it reminds me of my father. My father died when I was 11 years old, so I never really got to know him as a person or have a relationship with him beyond “daddy”. I have heard many stories about him over the years and therefore am able to piece together what kind of a man he was, as well as a parent. But, the memory I have of this book is special because it is the one memory I can look back on and really relate to my father as an adult.

The entire time I knew my father he was working on his play. It consumed his life. He was writer and constantly running his stories and plays by us, down to the most minute of details like whether the character Daisy should exit stage right or left. It was just a part of our daily life. One day, I was reading this book and asked my dad, “What’s a rejection slip?” Snoopy had gotten one in mail regarding the story he submitted and I had no clue what that meant.

As my dad was explaining to me what a rejection letter was, he went over to the bookcase and pulled down this big black binder. He opened it up and said, “Come here, I’ll show you.” He started pulling out the rejection letters he had received in response to pitching his play. There were small ones, big ones, long ones, short ones. Some had fancy letterheads, some did not. I obviously did not comprehend the real meaning of what they represented, because I was truly excited by the fact that my father had so many of them. This made him a hero in my eyes and I let him know this with a never-ending stream of gushing statements:

“WOW! Look at them ALL!”

There are SO MANY OF THEM!”

“Snoopy only got one, but you have TONS!”

“Please, can I keep just this one? Please? You have so many more?”

Well, he did let me keep a few (I picked out my favorites) and they are still tucked away in that book to this day. Naturally, years later I finally figured out that rejection slips weren’t actually good things to get. And now, as an adult, I can only imagine how crushing and depressing it was for him each time he received every one of those letters over the years. But all I can remember from that day is my father’s beaming smile, sincerely sharing my excitement and the look of pride on his face knowing he had made me so happy.

This book is special to me because, like the story, it holds a memory-within-a-memory. There’s my childhood memory of a wonderful moment with my dad. But I also have an adult memory that grants me the rare glimpse, from a personal experience, into the amazing man and parent that he was.

Comments

[Paige]

You have such a knack for painting these moving pictures of family life. Thank you for this New Year's treat. It was a sweet and moving one.

And anytime you want something to read, I'm happy to send you anything off my bookshelf!

[Oh, The Joys]

I have lots that I recommend in my Library Thing if you're interested...

[jen]

you always make things feel vibrant and alive.

and i love your resolution.

[Heather]

What a touching post! Sounds like your father is a pretty amazing man! Isn't it funny how the smallest of actions, from a parent, can mean so much to a child! Thanks for making my day!

Of course, this does not get you out of posting an embarassing moment! Just wanted to clarify! (hee-hee)

[Mad Hatter]

My dad died when I was little too. Like you, I cling to the bits of memory that give me insight into who he was.

[you da mom!]

i remember my dad reading to me, and i get such a kick out of watching my husband read to our sons. i, too, want to read more. ugh, but where is the time??

[No comments please]

I told you I'd never comment but I had to on this one... It only makes me hope that I can be that kind of father to my kid. And I only hope he can look back and see me the same way you have to your dad.
BTW, that's not a tear, I got something in my eye!