There were just a few more pages to turn when it happened. My voice froze and I felt the tears pushing. My son grinned knowingly, “Mom’s going to cry.”
It doesn’t happen very often, but literature gets me the most often. And biographies. Biographies can be just too inspirational for me to maintain my composure.
I picked up a copy of Louis Braille, The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind at Paperbackswap during Christmas. It wasn’t on a reading list anywhere, but I was ordering a book about Helen Keller and figured it would go along well with her story.
While my children munched on sandwiches, I read the short biography aloud, flipping it around anytime there was a sketch to keep their imagination going. We were all engaged from the beginning.
This poor boy ended up blind because he disobeyed his father. How would he react? What would happen to him?
The story of Braille’s exemplifies hard work and determination. It is a story of a hunger to learn and the blessing of reading. It is a story of how one person can change lives for generations, even if unknown at death.
Not one newspaper in all of Paris printed the news of his death. Yet today his name is known all around the world. He was a simple schoolteacher. He never made much money. Yet today blind people everywhere bless him for giving them one the greatest gifts of all time – the alphabet called braille.
Yes, what a wonderful gift! And what a wonderful gift to read about with your children.
{ 1 trackback }
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
I love finding treasures like this one! My bookshelves are overflowing with books that I just can’t part with because we loved them so much.
Cindy´s last blog ..World War I
I find myself crying about the silliest things when reading aloud to my children; whether it be from the scriptures or Laura Ingalls Wilder. Being a mom does crazy things to ya.
Nicole
Nicole´s last blog ..Haiti & a cookbook
We love this book, too. My 6th grader is currently reading this in conjunction with our science unit studying the eyes.
Tara´s last blog ..Explorer’s Bible Study
Been there for sure! I love literature that grabs your heart.
Jenn
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who gets choked up reading. Thanks for all your comments!
Awwwww that is so touching. I didn’t know who Braille was, especially didn’t know it was a little boy who invented braille! That is really incredible. And yeah, I would probably be crying at something like that too. What a truly inspirational story, I like how you said it shows how much it shows one person can do for so many others! And have such a lasting effect. Thanks for sharing.
Chris´s last blog ..Discount Tire Stores
Thank you for the recommendation! Biographies are so great–real-life inspiration! I look forward to reading this one. You’ve definitely piqued my interest.
Raven´s last blog ..On the Shelves Today: Some of Our Preschool Work
Renae, I love that story as well. Last year, I cried many times reading “Where the Red Fern Grows” with my 6th grade class. This year, I cried reading a Vietnam Memorial children’s book to my K-3 class. It’s good and healthy for our little ones to see adults experience these emotions. Great post!
Jennifer in OR´s last blog ..I Am From
Thanks for sharing such a great book. you are not alone in your tears. I often get chocked up reading aloud. When we were reading The Little House on the Prairie Books, there were many times, I just lost it. The whole family just sobbed when their dog Jack died. Some stories just prick your heart.
I have cried many times while reading picture books to my daughter. It’s kind of embarrassing! But, there is true emotion in these stories. You know it’s a wonderful book if you cry.
I would so love to read that. My kids loved the story of Helen Keller.
I cry too my kids know but the emotions of some stories hard not to do