When I was ten, my grandparents gave me the Laura Ingalls Wilder Little House series as a Christmas gift. I remember reading the books in the back of their suburban as we traveled to Yellowstone and back the following summer. I read all the books except Farmer Boy (for some reason I didn’t think I would like it because it was about a boy). The books then sat on my bookshelf in excellent condition … waiting.
They sat there all through my teenage years, through high school and college. When Aaron and I got married, the books followed me to our apartment and then to our house in Mt. Pleasant. During one of our times eliminating clutter, Aaron suggested I redistribute the Little House series. My response was something like, “are you kidding me? I’m planning to read these to our daughter someday.”
And then one day, we had a daughter. A few days later I started reading her books. Day after day, we read books together until one day she was ready for her first chapter book.
Early one morning in June 2008, Kayla and I sat together on our front porch bench as the sunshine warmed our legs. We started Little House in the Big Woods, and before I knew it, Kayla was hooked. Sequentially we worked through the Little House books, saving Farmer Boy for last, since I didn’t think we would like it.
Well tonight we finished Farmer Boy, which means we have now finished all nine books of the Little House series. One thing I learned: I was wrong! I loved Farmer Boy! What a treasure I missed as a child because of my erroneous thinking and unwillingness to give it a chance. The last chapter was absolutely outstanding!
To show how much Kayla has loved these books, I thought I would include this:
She informed me the other day that she would like a new set of Little House books since hers have fallen apart. That way, someday, she can read them to her little boy or little girl.
Note: One thing I forgot to mention is that we intentionally planned to finish Farmer Boy today. Were he still alive, today would be Almanzo’s 153rd birthday! Aaron and the girls even had a breakfast birthday party for him this morning while I was getting my hair cut. 🙂
What a beautiful lesson. 🙂 Shows how something dear to our hearts can be passed on through the generations.
Your postings never fail to bring me laughter and smiles. Thanks for sharing your family with me and others who read you blog.
Jenni I love reading your blogs–have you ever considered writing a book? Maybe a parenting book or something about creative ways to teach children? You are awesome!
One other thing you failed to mention is that Kayla is 5. I’ll bet the number of 5-year-olds in the world who have “read” and practically memorized all of the Little House books can be counted on one hand. Blessed to be her grandma!!