"I have lived a thousand lives through the pages of a book." Sandi
A Lifelong Love of Stories
When I was a little girl, we received a weekly allowance from our parents if we did our chores. Did you notice the "if?" Yes, we had to be an active particpant in the chores, both inside and outside, including helping with milking the cows and feeding the animals.
There was a lot of playtime and I am filled with many wonderful memories of running barefoot on summer days, building forts in the woods at the back of our house, fun with the neighborhood kids who gathered in our yard for a game of baseball. Homemade ice cream on Sunday afternoons.
My heart overflows with gratitude for my childhood days. I am also thankful for parents who taught me work ethics beginning in my early years.
By now, you are probably asking, "What does all this have to do with apple trees and McLellan's?" Here's the answer.
We lived outside of town, so going shopping in downtown Bessemer was a big deal. There were all kinds of stores, but my favorite was McLellan's 5 & 10.
Each week, when I received my allowance of 25 cents (that's not a typo!), my mother took me to town. When we walked through the doors of McLellan's, my footsteps echoed on the old plank floors as I made my way past the lunch counter and the candy aisle, headed straight for the books.
I knew which Trixie Belden mysteries I'd already read, and I always looked for the next new adventure.
I bought my book, and as soon as we got home, I headed for the apple trees where I climbed to my favorite spot, settled in and spent the afternoon reading, traveling around the world through the pages of a book, enjoying the adventures of my favorite characters, Trixie and Honey. Here's a little snippet from one of the books, titled The Secret of the Mansion, written by Julie Campbell.
“He wasn't always a wrinkled old man, Trixie," Mrs. Belden said quietly. "And Ten Acres was once as much of a showplace as the Manor House on the other hill is now. Grief sometimes changes people, you know. Before Mrs. Frayne died, he was a charming old gentleman, and he and his wife were very kind to your father and me when we moved up here from the city.” ― The Secret of the Mansion
I loved those books. And that is why I love to write, and share stories.
As a little girl, I discovered that I didn't have to leave home to experience an adventure. All I needed was a good book and a comfortable limb in an apple tree.
Today, I still enjoy those adventures. Only now, sometimes I'm the one creating them. When I want to go somewhere I've never been or experience something I've never done, I can simply sit down and write a story.
And just like that, I'm there.
I have lived a thousand lives through the pages of a book. And through writing, I've discovered there are still a thousand more waiting to be lived.
What about you? Was there a special place where you loved to read as a child? Perhaps beneath a shade tree, curled up in a favorite chair, or tucked away somewhere with a good book? I'd love to hear about it.
In the meantime, I'll be outside reading while perched on a limb of my apple tree. Well, not really. Perhaps I'll just write about it. That might be a little safer these days instead of climbing the tree!
Friend, thank you for spending time with me today. I hope our time together has brought a smile, stirred a memory, or given you something to think about.
I'll leave you with this scripture. Luke 10:42.
“Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Coming soon is a companion Porchside Devotional to this story. We'll explore this verse and what Jesus' words to Martha can teach us about treasuring our time with Him.
As we say goodbye for now, I'd like to leave you with this blessing from God's Word:
“May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace” Numbers 6:24–26.
Until next time, remember...your stories matter.
"I have traveled a few places in my life, by plane, car, boat, and train, but the memorable places have been up and down an old dirt road." Sandi, Growing Up in Cotton Country
Just for fun, enjoy a snippet of the audio book, Secret of the Mansion, featuring Trixie Belden.