While growing up, did you have a favorite story or book? Do you remember the characters, plot, and how old you were if you did? Because these are the things that make you...you!
Growing up in what used to be a rural area of Georgia, there were no movie theaters, swimming pools, arcades, or electronic games like kids have these days. But we did have a library! I have fond memories of our mom taking us to the library on Saturday mornings. We would sit for hours reading book after book and selecting books to check out to read at home. Of course, we could only check out three books at a time, but with two brothers, that meant nine books a week to share!
Stories That Came to Life
Like many families back then, we sat together and read the bible with our mom each week. She made the biblical stories come to life! Daniel in the Lion's Den, Noah's Ark, Moses parting the Red Sea... Wonderful memories our mother created for us! Besides the bible stories, we started to read Curious George, Dick & Jane, and Dr. Suess! These were among the first books before progressing to a higher reading level. We then enjoyed the Bobbsey Twins adventure storybooks by Laura Lee Hope and later the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew mysteries as we grew older.
Then came science fiction and all the Robert A. Heinlein books. These were incredibly captivating for our young minds and made our imaginations soar into the solar system. It was the cold war era of the 1950s and 1960s, with regular talk of atom bombs and drills at school, where we hid under our desks. So science fiction stories made the era exciting and less scary.
Opening Up the World
More importantly, reading and experiencing all these books offered gave us less advantaged kids an idea of the big world out there. We looked forward to exploring outside of where we grew up. It also made us realize that we could become whatever we wished. To this day, I have never taken a trip without a good book for a companion. And my imagination is better than any movie I've ever seen.
So, what was it for you? How old were you, and what was so meaningful about the book or story that you remember? Did you share the book with someone else?
Whatever it was, it made you…you!
By David Edge
David Edge is a retirement lifestyle writer and contributor to the ARA monthly newsletter. His articles blend personal stories with practical insights on living well in retirement.
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Easy Eddie's Take
David's story about childhood reading really hits home for me. A lot of people ask me, "How do I stay mentally sharp as I get older?" and one of the best answers is right there in David's memory - keep reading! The American Library Association reports that regular reading helps maintain cognitive function and memory as we age, plus it's one of the most affordable hobbies for folks on a fixed retirement income.
Here in Arizona, most public libraries offer special programs for seniors, including large-print books, audiobook collections, and even digital lending through services like OverDrive that you can access from home. Many libraries also have quiet reading rooms with comfortable seating - perfect for those Saturday morning visits David remembers so fondly. Think of it this way: the same curiosity that got you excited about Hardy Boys mysteries or science fiction can keep your mind active and engaged well into your retirement years.
Reading together as a family, like David's mom did with those Bible stories, is something you can continue with grandchildren too. And that's what makes planning ahead 123easy.