"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray,
Go throw your TV set away,
And in its place you can install,
A lovely bookshelf on the wall."
— Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
He's sitting in the big blue chair, the one that has held all of us at one time or another, and sometimes, two or three of of us together. The lamps glow softly, holding the darkness at bay, and the blankets are pulled close around wiggling toes. Eyes look slowly about the room, focusing and blurring as they listen to the word pictures being painted by his deep and easy voice. We are all at attention, despite our relaxed poses.
We travel the world, traipse through time, try on different personas, imagine new beginnings and weep at sad endings. We laugh, we muse, we sigh, we gasp.
And the most beautiful part of it all...we do it together.
This daily ritual has become sacred. Despite their growing minds and bodies and no matter that some of them can read all by themselves, this hallowed time is kept.
"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."
— Strickland Gillilan
