Monday, April 12, 2010

Gratitude Monday - I Can Read

I can read.
I am a happy about it.
Reading means worlds open up to me that might not if I didn't know what all those weird squiggles on the page meant.
I can lose myself in a book, communicate with friends and relatives online, and read a note from my husband telling me where he went while I was out.
Without reading it is unlikely I could write. I could dictate stories for others to put on paper or computer file, but I would never see for myself what I said and neither could I check the accuracy of what was written for me.
We often forget to acknowledge our basic skills. We may not need reading to survive, but it does help considerably.
It is something to build on, to use to our advantage, and to enjoy.
It's right under our very noses all the time and I've been taking it for granted.
Today I'd like to rectify that.
I can read, and I am grateful for the skill.

13 comments:

carla said...

when I was in college I worked tutoring illiterate adults.
not only did I learn that Im not as patient as I think/thought I am (I also learned that Im an amazing teacher...of skills which DO NOT come easy to me. I should have been a math teacher--but I digress)

it is truly stunning how much we miss in the world when we can not read.
and how deftly the adult mind can squeak by and make do.

the Bag Lady said...

I, too, am grateful for the ability to read. There are times, however, that my hunger to lose myself in fiction takes precedence over housework. Oh, wait, that's something else entirely, isn't it?
:)

Leah J. Utas said...

Carla, thanks for the story. It is incredible how the illiterate can fake it.

dfBag Lady, that would be a direct application of the skill.

Writing Without Periods! said...

We forget all the special things in our lives...I can read too. I love to read. I enhances one's life so much. And we have books lots o books.
Mary

Hilary said...

It's so true. We take reading for granted. I just can not imagine how isolated I'd feel without that skill. Thanks for the reminder.

Leah J. Utas said...

It really does, Mary.

Hilary, I can't imagine a life without the written word.

Redbush said...

I agree, Leah! I am grateful for that skill as well, although not anywhere nearly as talented as your penmanship! I once had a student that came to me from another class who obviously had problems reading. He told me that he wouldn't read because reading wasn't learning. I still chuckle.

Dawn said...

I am SO grateful I can read - it is one the biggest joys in my life. I can be transported to any place I choose, experience profound emotion, learn things.

Of all the gifts I've been given, the ability to read is one of the most cherished. I simply can not imagine a life without reading.

Leah J. Utas said...

Reading isn't learning? How some minds work just amazes me, Redbush.

Dawn, reading is wonderful. I don't know what I'd do without it.

David Cranmer said...

So true. I ditto your sentiments. Hard to believe many adults 'round the world can't.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, David. The amount of illiteracy is sad.

messymimi said...

Agreed.

And I am grateful that I've been given the awesome privilege and responsibility to teach four children to do the same.

Leah J. Utas said...

That's wonderful, Messymimi.