Lilly Mae Lesson #1

From the Desk of Hope….

A Reading Lesson from my 87 Year Old Friend

What a blessing and privilege it is to have a friend that is 87 years old. Lilly Mae is my mother’s former neighbor. She fell and broke her hip and is now in a rehabilitation center in Winston-Salem, about six minutes from my house. I have been visiting Lilly Mae every night since she has been there and oh, what precious conversations!

Last night when I visited Lilly Mae I noticed several books lying around her area. I decided to inquire about what she liked to read, what she remembered about learning to read, and also entertain her with some stories of my life as a reading specialist. Let me share with you why it is ever so important to teach our students and children  the love of reading.

When I asked Lilly Mae what she remembered about learning to read, here is what she said….. “Honey, I feel like I have always known how to read. I remember being a young, young child and reading everything in sight. My mother would stop me from reading because she thought something was wrong with me and she thought I was reading things that may not be ‘good for me’. I don’t remember how I learned to read. I just remember always knowing how to read and loving it. Reading is what keeps me sane. When I read, I can leave this room and travel. I can go places and learn things and…  (she said with a big smile) I am never bored.”

Lilly Mae went on to say how thankful she was to keep her eyesight so that she could read. With her broken hip she spends lots of time in the bed, so it comforts me to know that she has her books by her side to entertain her.

What a powerful message about teaching our students to love print, find joy in reading, and become lifelong readers!