The Reading Mother

Being a mom is one of the most amazing things I have ever done.  However, I do continually worry that I'm not doing everything I need to be doing for Garrison.  Maybe it's a teacher thing?  I wonder if I am challenging him enough (are we having enough tummy time, practice sitting up time, sign language, you name it).  Anyway, one thing we have always done from the time he was literally a couple of days old (see picture below) was read to little Garrison.  It is something I am very passionate about - especially after five years of being a teacher.  I have to share this poem that I love by Strickland Gillilan.  So I am at least doing one thing right...   :)


I had a mother who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea.
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth;
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath.
I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.
I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Gelert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness lent with his final breath.
I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch.
Oh, that each mother of boys were such!
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.

Strickland Gillilan