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Dear M,
Some days I just can’t believe how fast you are growing up. It seems just like yesterday that I heard the three most beautiful words anyone ever spoke to me – it’s a girl. It seems just yesterday holding you in my arms, I started a new journey. But then again there are moments when I can’t even remember a time before you like I have known you for the longest time. To say you have changed my life would be an understatement, M.
Anyways.
Today, I want to talk to you about one of my favourite things in the world. Books. I have been dreaming of introducing you to the world of books, of reading, ever since I was pregnant with you. I remember wondering how I can make you fall in love with reading when you were just 4 months old. Call me crazy but this is one of those few things that I’ll keep trying to introduce you to till I succeed. And I really hope, I do.
I can’t tell you how happy I feel when you run to me with you board books. The fact that you enjoy looking at the pictures and saying the names of those out loud, identifying them is one of my favourite things in the world. Not because you are able to but because you choose to spend time with books. Then that look you give when you are trying to figure out what that picture is, that desire to find out, even if fleeting, is priceless. Of course, there are days when you show no interest in books. And I understand. There’s always another day to try.
Books, my dear, are the best friends you can ever have. They have the power to take you places, show you spectacles and teach you things that even formal education fails to. Books are magic. They expand your horizons. They make you better individuals. They are the doorways to leading multiple lives in one. Believe me, you’ll never feel bored or alone if you choose to make books your companions.
I have been in love with books for as long as I can remember. Reading like there’s no tomorrow, I hope that’s a feeling you can experience someday. I think when you grow up and look back at our time together, in your memories you’ll always find me with a Kindle. And I hope to see you with one someday. Inseparable with books and Kindle or whatever is the device to read as you grow up.
I’m going to nag you sometimes to read. I might even be anal about it at times. But don’t listen to all that. What I truly want is for you to discover this world and choose to embrace it on your own not because I want you to. Then you won’t enjoy it at all. Of course, I’ll be there to introduce you to it, do whatever I can. But it’s all up to you at the end of the day, my dear. I really hope you find it worth your while to be a part of this world that has always been my rock.
If you love books, I promise to indulge you with all that you want to read.
Love,
Mummy
That’s a beautifully penned letter, Nabanita. Indeed books and reading can be one’s best friend. You can be lost in it without any care in the world. That’s a wonderful feeling. Hope your little one picks up reading like her mom and grows up to be an avid reader.
I completely agree with you, Nabanita! Books are the best friends we will never lose. People won’t always be there for us, but books, these sure will!
It’s a great thing you are encouraging your little one to read. I do that with my 8 yo nephew – have been doing it for quite some time. And, now, when I see him with his head buried in a book, lost to the world, I am overjoyed!
May M become a bookworm, too! 🙂
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A beautiful letter. I think the best way, with a young child, is to read bedtime stories every night, almost from the day your little one is born. Let the baby associate reading with snuggling and delicious Mommy Time. Get durable board books and let your baby “read” along with you so you don’t have to discipline the child if he/she rips a page. I don’t know if Pat the Bunny is available where you live, but it is “interactive” in an old fashioned way, and I highly recommend it. A great thing, to teach the love of reading!!
Such a beautifully penned letter! It touched my heart to think of the motherly affection and love that lies behind your attempt to inspire the little person that M is, to read and love books. It was the same with me too, Nabanita. I bought books for Arjyo even before he was born and we’ve had every special occasion tied to books and those are the books we always treasure. He loves books and reads for pleasure, for himself, and it pleases me to see him that way. Nothing pleases a mommy heart more than that!
This is a beautiful letter. You know Nabanita I don’t even have a doubt that M will be grow up not being a reader. I am not half a reader as you and nor do I have reading in my genes but still I could turn around D into being a book lover. Trust me you and M are going to be there with all your efforts.
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This is such a heartwarming post, Naba. I love the mommy in you! <3
I remember my Mom reading stories to me when I was a child. I was fascinated by the world of words and I vividly remember the books I had as a child. The first story was of 'Thumbelina' followed by 'Hansel and Gretel' and these were my favorites. I used to insist her to read me these every single day. Such fond memories! Thanks for this post!
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