SURPRISE!!! Do you love and welcome surprises? Do you enjoy the element of not knowing something is coming your way? No, I’m not talking about Halloween or the times when your son, daughter, husband, wife and so on hide in the closet, around the corner or in the bathtub and scare the living daylights out of you. (Yes, this does happen to me and WAY TOO OFTEN.) I’m talking about the pleasant surprise. I got one of those this week.
From the time my son was born, my husband and I have read a book to him every night. This does take self-sacrifice, establishing a firm routine and dedicated time. Many times we wanted to give up (or give in) and disregard this family activity.
Last night, however, we received a surprise. Yes, I think my heart skipped a beat, maybe even two. No, we weren’t sacred or frightened. We were in awe. Our son picked out not one but two books and read them to us. That’s right, he read them to us. Not by memory, but by actually reading the story word for word.
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The feeling of accomplishment was overwhelming. We realized that our hard work and efforts for six years was paying off, and it made us feel like accomplished parents. As we watched him stumble over a few words, we were brought back to our childhood and how we remembered doing the same thing with our parents. We realized how rewarding and challenging school is for our son, and we truly were rewarded with one of the best gifts or surprises he could give us.
Never underestimate the power of reading to your child. They may (will) one day surprise you!!
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Now, I must go. It’s my turn to fill up the pitcher of cold water and throw it over the shower curtain while my son is taking a bath. (Evil laugh.) Maybe we should read about safe and healthy surprises tonight.
Merlina Glass is a Temple Terrace mother and member of the Temple Terrace Elementary School PTA.