"Instructions for living a life. Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it." |
Reading has always been central in my life- as a teacher, as a mom and as a social activity (book club). I truly believe in the magic of books. Books can be restorative to the soul (thank you Cleo Wade- Heart Talk). They can take us on epic adventures, teach us about different cultures, people and time periods. They teach us empathy- how to walk in another’s shoes. For children, they also develop language, critical thinking skills, a love of learning and act as fodder for imagination. I know the connection that books can bring-my book club is going on 7 years strong and the fabric of our relationships is strengthened though the shared experiences of reading the same book. Enter my idea to put up a little library. I felt that the little library could bridge the gap between my feeling of loss for our sense of community and also my understanding of the power of reading. I reached out to my dad about my idea. My dad is the ultimate can-do guy. He loves a good project and is a jack of all trades. Naturally he was in. We worked together to craft the little library (more on this in a later post). I reached out to a local artist to paint some quotes I picked out. Now we have an adorable little library that sits in our front yard. I carefully curate the books in the library, trying to provide a range of genres and topics. It brings me such joy to see neighbors coming to take out or put in books. I peek out my front window to watch people peruse the books- I know, it is a bit voyeuristic but I love to see their excitement when they find that just right book. Neighbors will pass by and comment (from a distance) on how much they love the library. I feel that the little library not only promotes community involvement, but it helps combat the feelings of isolation due to Covid. It makes me reflect on that magic that only happens in the sharing of stories. Covid has caused Little Libraries to crop up all over in towns across America. Every time I see one, I feel that spark of joy and connection. So, next time you see a little library- stop and check it out, and if you don't have one near you...don’t be afraid to make your own! More on little libraries here and some plans to make your own here. You can even purchase one made on etsy here x0 allie
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
February 2021
Categories |