This is a great story, Tess, thank you for sharing it with me. I see myself in your story. In fact, the bookshelves in my childhood home were very similar to yours. My parents did not buy us books or read to us (that I remember), but at some point they must have fallen for an encyclopedia salesman. We had the Colliers set, and it included a half dozen multi-colored hardcover anthologies of classic stories. Most of those stories were boring to me but it was something to read.
I definitely still remember the excitement of ordering a book from Scholastic (only one, because there were 8 kids in my family!). And I remember the very day I discovered chapter books on my elementary school library shelves!
And my parents didn't finish high school, so they didn't place a high value on higher ed. Congratulations to you on completing your college degree! It took me until I was 50 to finally get my bachelor's!!
I could go on—you've stimulated my memories. I wanted to be a librarian, but I didn't have the confidence (or the education).
Yea—it was nice to hear that reading to each other was comforting. That was the thing that stayed with me. I enjoyed your post. Thank you for reading mine. ♥️
Congrats on getting you degree—wgat is it in, and why did you choose it?
.
(For me, it’s not just one—got more than a bachelor’s—I have a Master’s degree in Library & Information Science and its on my own dime. 😌)
You've worked very hard, Tess! My degree is in English. Writing on literature for four years is what gave me the confidence to start my Subtack (that and my mindfulness meditation practice).
I made my living as a carpenter, all the while feeling the absence of higher education, but having started a family, I was not able to concentrate on much else but work for many years.
I thought I would use my degree in English to become an English teacher but I tried it for a year and changed my mind. I just love to write!
Old Mr. Bill. Haha. I miss those skits. Reading definitely sets us free. I don't know that I'd want to be a librarian. I'd definitely like to hang out in the library all day and NOT deal with the public. Hehe. Great post, Tess.
So glad that my library shirt connected us. I love this origin story. Libraries are indeed liberating, opening access to all. Libre the library! Books will set you free. I was a bookish introverted kid and read and wrote and illustrated stories. I remember being given a book - it was Emily of New Moon. And, it made me feel like maybe I wasn't all that wierd and abnormal. Books are magical in so many ways, little oddities created by others that somehow morph into looking glasses inward or windows outward and often both. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to reading more!
“Books are magical in so many ways, little oddities created by others that somehow morph into looking glasses inward or windows outward and often both.”
Information set me free—that encyclopedia set unlocks a few other stories down the line.
We also had Childcraft—there was stuff about the human body, reproduction, and the like. Diseases. Wellness. It helped me diagnose illness in the family too 😅
Tess, what a journey you have had and are on. My heart hurt a little for you. What grit and determination you have had since being a little girl. Like you, I have always been obsessed with books. As a child my thing was pony books and I would sit on the floor in bookshops for ages reading them! I think my parents still have a lot of the books I had as a child. I wrote, too. A play when I was about 8, and so many stories and letters to my nana in England (we lived ,and I still live , in Switzerland. I can’t wait to read more of your stories. Hugs, Francesca
It’s amazing we have these moments in our lives where we have no idea how one positive thing, exchange or kind word can set someone free*
I hope all the positive things I do help people. Especially people who feel they have no power.
It is determination that eventually becomes everyone’s Superman cape.
♥️
*That reference librarian who ordered me more books on how to draw comics didn’t know the impact she had. She didn’t know she was fostering someone’s creative drive that would eventually spawn comics that are transformative
It’s a long read—but this month, I want to shed a little about myself—which is uncomfortable since I generally feel as if I exposed too much of myself.
My mom used to say, “People trust a warrior who’s has blood & dents on her shield.”
It’s something I think I need to do in order to get people to submit their art/poetry/photography to this magazine. ;) —like your photography!
This is a great story, Tess, thank you for sharing it with me. I see myself in your story. In fact, the bookshelves in my childhood home were very similar to yours. My parents did not buy us books or read to us (that I remember), but at some point they must have fallen for an encyclopedia salesman. We had the Colliers set, and it included a half dozen multi-colored hardcover anthologies of classic stories. Most of those stories were boring to me but it was something to read.
I definitely still remember the excitement of ordering a book from Scholastic (only one, because there were 8 kids in my family!). And I remember the very day I discovered chapter books on my elementary school library shelves!
And my parents didn't finish high school, so they didn't place a high value on higher ed. Congratulations to you on completing your college degree! It took me until I was 50 to finally get my bachelor's!!
I could go on—you've stimulated my memories. I wanted to be a librarian, but I didn't have the confidence (or the education).
Yea—it was nice to hear that reading to each other was comforting. That was the thing that stayed with me. I enjoyed your post. Thank you for reading mine. ♥️
Congrats on getting you degree—wgat is it in, and why did you choose it?
.
(For me, it’s not just one—got more than a bachelor’s—I have a Master’s degree in Library & Information Science and its on my own dime. 😌)
You've worked very hard, Tess! My degree is in English. Writing on literature for four years is what gave me the confidence to start my Subtack (that and my mindfulness meditation practice).
I made my living as a carpenter, all the while feeling the absence of higher education, but having started a family, I was not able to concentrate on much else but work for many years.
I thought I would use my degree in English to become an English teacher but I tried it for a year and changed my mind. I just love to write!
Wow—it shows.
🙏💚
Old Mr. Bill. Haha. I miss those skits. Reading definitely sets us free. I don't know that I'd want to be a librarian. I'd definitely like to hang out in the library all day and NOT deal with the public. Hehe. Great post, Tess.
Thank you, Parker...I’m glad we are pals ♥️
So glad that my library shirt connected us. I love this origin story. Libraries are indeed liberating, opening access to all. Libre the library! Books will set you free. I was a bookish introverted kid and read and wrote and illustrated stories. I remember being given a book - it was Emily of New Moon. And, it made me feel like maybe I wasn't all that wierd and abnormal. Books are magical in so many ways, little oddities created by others that somehow morph into looking glasses inward or windows outward and often both. Thank you for sharing and I look forward to reading more!
Very beautifully said—very poetic:
“Books are magical in so many ways, little oddities created by others that somehow morph into looking glasses inward or windows outward and often both.”
What a beautiful story. Damn. I am very moved by how much you love books.
Information set me free—that encyclopedia set unlocks a few other stories down the line.
We also had Childcraft—there was stuff about the human body, reproduction, and the like. Diseases. Wellness. It helped me diagnose illness in the family too 😅
Tess, what a journey you have had and are on. My heart hurt a little for you. What grit and determination you have had since being a little girl. Like you, I have always been obsessed with books. As a child my thing was pony books and I would sit on the floor in bookshops for ages reading them! I think my parents still have a lot of the books I had as a child. I wrote, too. A play when I was about 8, and so many stories and letters to my nana in England (we lived ,and I still live , in Switzerland. I can’t wait to read more of your stories. Hugs, Francesca
Thank you for taking the time to read it. ♥️
It’s amazing we have these moments in our lives where we have no idea how one positive thing, exchange or kind word can set someone free*
I hope all the positive things I do help people. Especially people who feel they have no power.
It is determination that eventually becomes everyone’s Superman cape.
♥️
*That reference librarian who ordered me more books on how to draw comics didn’t know the impact she had. She didn’t know she was fostering someone’s creative drive that would eventually spawn comics that are transformative
Exactly! All it takes sometimes is a little kindness, and it opens up all sorts of new possibilities. I have a poem about that in my book.
—I want to read it!
I didn't have time read it all but wow! Interesting early beginnings for you with your fam... 👌🏼☺️
It’s a long read—but this month, I want to shed a little about myself—which is uncomfortable since I generally feel as if I exposed too much of myself.
My mom used to say, “People trust a warrior who’s has blood & dents on her shield.”
It’s something I think I need to do in order to get people to submit their art/poetry/photography to this magazine. ;) —like your photography!
Yes, I think the more you reveal of your own journey, the more other are invited to show up authentically too...