Finding fulfillment

 

Beverly Clearly has died! 

My son told me when we talked on the phone yesterday and it hit me hard. As both a child and an adult who had children and has spent years volunteering in children's libraries, I value her books.

Henry Huggins was one of my favorites and who didn't love Beezus and Ramona!

Then I read she had two children, three grandchildren and one great grandchild and I found one more tie to her.

As a seventy plus woman with three children, five grandchildren and no great grandchildren I am aware of how precious children are. I never aspired to simply fill the world with children for the sake of doing that. I have always felt that along with bringing a child into the world it is my duty to help that child find fulfillment.

Finding another's fulfillment is not easy. It means exposing them to many things and then helping them focus in on those things they find most interesting. Fortunately for me, that is finding another's fulfillment. It gives me intense pleasure to help people find the books, topics, activities they love and then help them find ways of experiencing even more of whatever it is.

These things take time and patience. Although having lots of great grand children sounds romantic, it would make it almost impossible. One or two little chicks in a neighborhood of opportunities makes for better books and better lives.