The Gift of Reading

I was thinking tonight about how grateful I am that I am able to read.  I love reading.  I love sharing thoughts, opinions, and perspectives about books, articles, music, and more.  The written word no matter how it’s presented is an incredible community building tool.  Whether in knowledge, creativity, direction, inspiration, support, or whatever the intent may be…the written word is a gift.  And, that I am able to read it and listen to it both are gifts I am grateful for every day.

When I say the written word is community building I think of my book club; I think of asking my husband who is a daily newspaper reader what he’s read; I think of wanting to follow friends and relatives on GoodReads.com to see what they’re reading and what they think about what they’ve read; I think of reading to become a better person through learning and appreciation of stories outside my own; I think of gaining a better appreciation of history; I think of sending and receiving books; and I could think of endless more reasons about how the written word builds community in my life and the lives of others.

I saw a historical fiction movie recently centered on how in 19th century China, women kept up their friendships through secret writing as there were confined by culture in their communication and education.  I’d recommend the movie, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, which highlighted the power of the written word and the lengths that many go to across cultures to ensure communication and community continue, despite restraint.

This week alone I’ve been to apocalyptic North America, in the mind of a man who accidentally killed a guy who was beating his own dog, and walking along a fence at Auschwitz.  I am grateful for all these experiences, provided by the gift of reading.

Where have you been???