I tend to think of life in terms of milestones, a pattern especially true as I watch my children grow. At first, there were basic things: learning to walk, first words, and using the toilet. But, I discovered a milestone that I hadn’t expected to hit me as profoundly as it did just yesterday. My daughter has begun to learn how to read.
Now, it came as no surprise to me that she would. In fact, I have been preparing her to do so for some months. She knows how to write her letters and gets a kick out of sounding out how words should be spelled. When I cracked open my 1920 edition of McGuffey Readers, I expected a laborious process, much like drilling the shapes of letters into her head had been. I was staggered, however, when she took up the written word like it had been made for her. I had never seen her express such joy in understanding a new concept as when she started connecting the letters and sounds with what was printed on the page. It was very clearly a new chapter in her life.
Perhaps it is because reading played such an integral role in my own youth and development that her accomplishment struck me in such a way. After all, whenever I wasn’t barefoot digging foxholes, my nose was buried in the pages of a book. The transformative power of literature developed me into the man I am today. Now, she has begun that same journey. My role has changed, from that of a participant on the road to that of a guardian. It has become my duty to show her what great, and sometimes terrible, changes the written word can enact.
I don’t know what her life will bring, or what path she will follow, but this foundation of literacy, and more importantly a love of reading, serves the mind and soul better than any gift money can buy.
Short interesting and wholesome observation. Let me just add … the “path” we’re on now, is much like the path the passengers of the Titanic were on. We’re doomed IF we stay on this path. I love reading too, but the emergency we’re faced with means we must hit the pause button on certain past times lest they become a psychological escape mechanism that distracts us from “saving” our children … so we can continue to watch them grow.
It’s time to put up the books and get out the pen and paper. It’s time to think and plan. It’s time to Balkanize.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MB-3RchZj4
Michael, he couldn’t abdicate his parental responsibilities to his daughter in spite of everything else if he would. That you are suggesting he do so isn’t telling well on you, sir.
A king can only be entertained by a jester for so long …. then the guards give him a few coins and he’s shown the door …
Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. Now, you keep this in mind: you could earn your way into our counsels if you’d show some self-restraint, curb your unruly temper and stop insulting the contributors here, (1); and (2) if you’d start providing content – not condescending and sniping comments, articles. Rest assured that I’m not the only one of us who tires of your antics, Michael; I’m just the only one (for the time being) who bothers to attempt to put you back on the straight and narrow. As I said, there is a way to get your foot in the door and to have some actual influence (as it stands right now, you have less than zero influence), and I’ve just spelled it out for you. We all have a vote, and as it stands at this very moment, I’d vote “no” on letting you into our counsels if some one of us invited you in because I already know that you’d be nothing but a total nuisance and a distraction. But, I mean, it’s your choice, man.
🙂 Earn my way in? 🙂 You mean like a fraternity? No Gabriel … I’m the lone rider very much not into ‘group think,’ but then this isn’t really a shot at group acceptance … it’s elementary psychology. AGAIN Gabriel … don’t troll a site then try to ‘imply’ everyone there agrees with you and is in your camp. Most people here won’t fall for that.
You are one of 2 things : 1. A paid troll and or leftist posing as a southern nationalist or 2. A southern professor / writer who’s … stuck in a stubborn sort of ‘box.?’ I have better things to do that waste thought determining which but I will say, I’d guess maybe #2. Your chapter / book seems somewhat collegiate.
I see our ship IS sinking and I call out those who waste precious time chatting about things as though everything’s okay. It’s literally as though we’re on the Titanic AS it’s sinking … chatting about ‘what’s wrong, who’s at fault, remember the old days and did you see such and such movie.’ The reason I suspected troll was because you were the only one to attack merely even starting a conversation about CSA II. THEN the comments about the 2nd Amendment!!? However the use of textbook psychology along with your professor style of historical writing suggests stuck in a sort of ( inability to see the big picture and danger ) box. Also suggesting some sort of campus situation is the attack on free speech. Dweebs on campuses these days are “triggered” by the “micro aggressions” of free thinkers and speakers. My suggestion to them is, if they’re looking for a “safe space,” they’re in the wrong blogosphere.
If stuck in a box you might as well monetize it! Create entire southern history courses on video. There’s a huge market and you do have enough talent for that. Good luck Gabriel.
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Josey:
First, thanks for the compliment of the scholarly way in which I have written the book chapter(s) you mention. I wouldn’t necessarily characterize them as “scholarly,” but I take it that is what you meant, and I thank you for that at least. Be it known, however, that I’m certainly no college professor (just a lowly old carpenter); I’ve mentioned before that I only made it through two semesters of college before I “came crashing into reality” and figured out that … I wasn’t made for it, and it wasn’t made for me. Otherwise, let’s see,…
More insults, more libels, more hyper-individualism, more false conclusions formed of false premises. Why am I not surprised?
Oh well, I tried.
Congratulations to your daughter on her achievement. Good work, dad. And mom.
My oldest has no interest in reading until about 8, after that she stated to devour ever book she could get her hands on. It’s a wonderful thing when they enjoy reading.
Reading is absolutely the greatest gift for truth seekers.