As I climb the steps to the second floor of my home I reach an area I love dearly. Two wicker chairs, a table with a Tiffany lamp, lovely pictures and cabinetry extending across one wall.  Sitting there, I get to look at my treasures neatly displayed all in one place. One of the items on the shelf was a book I have had since childhood, The Annotated Alice. The book itself is a masterpiece but it also includes running commentary on all the jokes, games, parodies etc., that connect the reader to Lewis Carroll’s writings.

It became a topic of conversation last weekend as another person who picked up the book was quite surprised that this had been given to a child. The research, the complexity, the discussion about Lewis Carroll that prefaces the actual writings, all begged the question “Isn’t this something for an adult, not a child?” I had to think for only a moment and then said ” No, I have had this since I was a child and I remember reading it, it was a gift.” I couldn’t remember from whom, but I knew it was a gift, something to be treasured.

The curiosity got the best of me and I called my mother to fill in the gaps of my memory. It turned out this book was a gift from Santa, “any books unsigned were from Santa.” She began to give me insight into how a book like this would fall into a child’s hands.

My parents had decided very early on that their children would be exposed to lots of of different types of books and music. My father and mother would read to us articles or books they were currently reading, and we would attentively follow along. Apparently, I enjoyed reading with my father, listening and turning the pages, until eventually reading books on my own. Though children’s books and songs were always present they felt it was important to expose us to so much more. Second to that, she stated that it was not enough to just read a book but better still to understand what was behind the writings.

I will speak for myself here about what my mother observed in me, though it appears my sisters felt likewise, learning was fun! Knowing why something is the way it is, was cool. Sure, I could have read Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass just like everyone else but if I had the interest and the capacity to learn more, why not?

This conversation ended up answering a lot more than “where did I get this book from?” Instead it unlocked memories of sitting with my father, it explained why I enjoy the books I do, which are mainly from a learning or biographical perspective, and it taught me that my parents endeavoured to prepare me well for my future. My mother went on to say,that they knew the world would open up to us and we would need to know how to conduct ourselves and speak with others in many different circles.

I am thankful for their vision as I do believe it was a good idea to expose us to various books, music and travel,  as it made us better equipped to go forward in our lives. She said, they wanted us to be able to carry a conversation and not just stand there dumb-founded, as she feels many children do now. Whether this is the case, I do not know. I do know that having children respectfully a part of conversation builds confidence, taking them outside of the box of prescribed childhood activities and reading will build knowledge and the purpose of a parent is to prepare your child for adulthood.

Santa was really smart and I’m really happy with the gift he left me many years ago. I am also thankful to my parents for opening our minds and that one moment in a day became an incredible conversation with my Mum that I will never forget. (My father may have passed away young but another gift he left behind has been revealed.)