The gift I have to give

I have given and received wonderful gifts throughout the years. I remember the year all my sibs and I scrimped and saved so that we could make sure that my mom had the most presents under the tree.

That was a great Christmas.

I remember reciving a matching robe and nightgown that made me feel rich, even though we were poor.

That was a great Christmas too.

I remember a hand-stitched nativity, lovingly quilted by a teenaged sister and I also remember getting a beautiful Lennox figure each year from my husband to make the most elegant creche anyone has ever seen.

Those were good gifts!

I've received a fabulous diamond anniversary ring, new furniture and original paintings. Excellent gifts, all. I even had a baby at Christmas. A pretty tough gift to beat.

I've given Ipods and cameras, clothes and jewelry. Good gifts.

Because I am a mother and a grandmother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, I am always on the lookout for the perfect gift: the gift that will show my family how much I love them, the gift that they will never forget, the gift that will make them happier and smarter and nicer and richer, the gift that will bring them closer to Christ. A tall order.

But wait, its a gift I do have to give. Its a gift that my mother gave me when I was four years old. Its a gift that she has been giving me for my whole life and that I have in turn tried my hardest to give to my children.

It is the gift of reading. Not just of being able to read, but of loving to read.

One of my favorite poems by Gillian Strickland goes like this:

"You may have tangible wealth untold
Caskets of silver and coffers of gold
But richer than I, you can never be
For I had a mother who read to me."

Not only read to me, but taught me how! I remember the first book I read by myself. It was called "The Buffalo Robe" and it was a hard book! I was so proud.

Because I read, I have a wonderful education and hence a wonderful job.

Because I read, I've been to China and to Afghanistan and to the moon.

Because I read, I know Albert Einstein and John Adams, Louisa May Alcott and Jesus Christ.

I also know Jo March and Atticus Finch, Nero Wolfe and Bertie Wooster.

I've lived in the past and in the future. I've visited heaven and hell and I know which I prefer.

I've learned some of the truest truths I know in the pages of fiction.

I am never lonely or bored, because I always have a book.

I know how to invest, how to cook, how to knit and how to have a happy marriage, because I learned from a book.

Last week, my two year old grandson snuggled up on my lap, as we happily opened a book. He gave to me some of the highest words of praise, I ever received. He said: "Grandma, you are the best story!"

That's it. Thats my gift. I am the best story! People have learned how to read because of me! People have learned to love books because of me. Of all my accomplishments, that is one of which I am most proud. How awesome would it be to be a kindergarten teacher and teach hundreds of little people to love the written word!. They would come to you, unknowing and leave you with the greatest tool for a successful life that there is.

I want to spend my retirement years as a literacy volunteer because nothing can change people's lives more than this.

So, if anyone reading this picks up a book because of me, I have given my gift. If you are transported to another world for a few hours, it you learn something new, if you laugh or if you cry, I have given my gift and its the best thing I have to give.

I give it with all my heart to loved ones and strangers alike.

Merry Christmas