Friday 30 August 2013

Bookends

Two bookends herald the start and the finish of the summer holidays, wrapping the passage of time in a comforting hug.

On the first day of the break my daughter marches me down to the library to join the Summer Reading Scheme. And in the last week, we return, to collect her medal.

This has been going on for several years now, but her pride in achieving the task of reading the allotted amount of books hasn’t diminished; if anything her pleasure seems to increase each year.

Today, she walked up to the desk, with her final sheet of ‘stamps’ clutched close to her chest.

“Eighteen. I’ve read eighteen now, so I’ve finished,” she pronounced, loudly, glancing around to check if passing library users looked suitably impressed.

The shiny, gold-coloured medal was handed over, with the appropriate amount of admiration and praise from the by now familiar ‘Library Lady’, and we threaded it onto her whistle lanyard.

“It’s a shame my brother lost interest, isn’t it?” my daughter mentioned, gleefully, unable to hide her triumphant satisfaction at completing the scheme when he hadn’t.

She’s gone to bed now, gripping the medal tightly in her hand. 

I remember when she was a toddler not strong enough to toddle, rolling about on the floor amidst a pile of picture books. It’s been a long story since then, with plenty of plot twists and cliffhangers. Watching her reading throughout the summer, engrossed in book after book, is always one of my favourite chapters.

Video is Booker T. & The MGs - Time Is Tight

Related posts:
Book
Readathon
Swapsies


5 comments:

  1. have foolishly just sat with a glass of wine researching pws whilst my 4 month old with it sleeps (naturally.....) and reduced myself to tears - the hubs wared me not to as he went out for his run - (far too virtuous!) one which i shall heed next time. however this post has brought me full circle and back to a smile again.
    :) closing down computer to watch "bake off" instead...cake more uplifting than some things seen on utube!

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    1. The internet can be the biggest comforter and the worst scaremonger. I try to be honest and to share the good and the bad times on this blog. All I'll say to you is not to tie yourself up in knots about the future. Who the hell else do you know who knows for sure what the future holds for their child? Deal with what you have to deal with now, keep your eye on what you should be doing soon, but forget about later. Most of all, enjoy your child. They're slow starters, PWS babies, and that means you've got a whole heap of joy heading your way. That may sound trite - it doesn't mean it's not true.


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    2. thanks, as she is my 3rd beautiful girl I keep reminding myself that i have no idea how life will be for the other 2 and that even "normal" kids think about and ask for food CONSTANTLY!! the internet so far has just made me sad......but the advent of the iplayer allows me to watch programmes about cake and bread.....what more does a girl need?!

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  2. (Deleted previous comment because link didn't work)
    If you want something on the internet that will make you happy, try this video I uploaded for a blog entry a while ago. If it doesn't make you smile, nothing will: http://adrakesprogress.blogspot.co.uk/2011/08/sheena.html

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