Were you read to as I child? I was, early and regularly. My mother, my aunt (who taught me to read at five years old), my grandfather, teachers -- each contributed to my early love of being read to and reading. As this little poem expresses, there is no treasure to compare with having been read to as a child. Make sure you read to your children, not only silly, fun books (which have their place), but books that will ennoble them and stretch and mature them -- books that will give your young men a zeal for godly ventures and your young ladies hearts that long to please God in all their relationships and calling. Read to your children!
"I had a mother who read to me
Saga of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlassess clenched in their yellow teeth,
'Blackbirds' stowed in the hold beneath.
"I had a mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which evey boy has a right to know.
"I had a mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.
"I had a mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings--
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!
"You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be--
I had a mother who read to me."
--Stickland Gillian
1 comment:
My mother read to the three of us all our childhood. Even when we were older and could all read well ourselves, she would still read while we worked on handwork. Even now, though I love to read to myself, I love listening to books on audio while I sew or quilt.
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