September 1982

Books..she loves books and going to the library.

This is our youngest daughter Jen/Jennifer/Jenny.  The caption in this newspaper article says “Jenny can’t read yet, but she likes coming to the bookmobile to choose material for her sister to read to her.”   This was in the September 26, 1982 issue of the Fargo Forum.

Thirty years ago.  When she was seven.

When she learned to read she would make up words.  If something started with a w, any w word that she could think of would do.  She just wanted to read quickly and did not have time to sound out the words.

One night a week usually on Tuesday or Wednesday we would pack up our bag of books right after supper and spend the evening in the library picking out new books for the coming week.  One night it was very cold out..way below zero, so cold that our back window shattered in the cold while we were inside the library.

Reading was encouraged.  Jen spent hours reading to me…mostly in the late afternoon as I cooked supper..she would be perched on a stool in the kitchen at the breakfast bar.  I had to pay close attention for words that didn’t make sense.  I would encourage her to sound them out..when that failed I would have her spell the word to me, so I could help her.

Jen learned to read and became a really good reader…she stopped making up words.  In High School she began to write poetry.  I am not sure when she decided that she wanted to become an English Teacher…but she has a Master of Fine Arts Degree in English and teaches at a Community College.

She still loves books. One day last July she came by the museum to change the foyer display cabinet.  It became a display of books..large and small..I smile every time I walk past or dust the top of the case..all this from the little girl who struggled to read.

Today she is 37.  Happy Birthday Jen:)