I had a mother who read to me...

I have wonderful memories of my  mother reading to my sisters and me!  We explored marvelous lands and ideas together through the written word!  We were talking about this the other day and Mom quoted the line, "I had a mother who read to me," but she couldn't remember where it was from.  We looked it up online and found this inspiring poem by Strickland Gillilan:

The Reading Mother

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.

It has seemed just natural for me to read aloud to my children since my parents read almost nightly to my sisters and me!  I treasure the gift and feel privileged to pass it on.