My post on ‘Reading Aloud Heals Just About Everything’
gave my readers a chance to reflect and tell their stories.
Thank You!
“Few days before my father died I was reading to him. I don’t remember what the book was. He wasn’t aware of what the story was but he told my mother that the fact that I was reading to him gave him such a sense of peace that he would smile. I’m always proudest of that.”
“But reading fixes everything. I read to mom in her later years and even though she had dementia, she loved it and it made her smile. 😊 I hope you will be better soon and back to school with the children.”
“As to the healing art of reading aloud – during ‘lockdown’ hubby started reading the book he was reading to me as a sort of bedtime ritual. The book? No, not The Princess Bride, but we have both the book and the video. The book is called, “The Soul of an Octopus – A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness” by Sy Montgomery. As the isolation of COVID continued, I then began to read aloud the same book again to hubby! It’s now part of our history together as is COVID itself.”
“As to the healing art of reading aloud – during ‘lockdown’ hubby started reading the book he was reading to me as a sort of bedtime ritual. The book? No, not The Princess Bride, but we have both the book and the video. The book is called, “The Soul of an Octopus – A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness” by Sy Montgomery. As the isolation of COVID continued, I then began to read aloud the same book again to hubby! It’s now part of our history together as is COVID itself.”
“Absolutely. I also read to my mom the last few days of her life. It was The Greatest Story Ever Told, so she’d know him when she saw him. I hope it comforted her.”
“I wrote a children’s book a few years into my mom’s dementia, illustrated beautifully by a friend. I read the book slowly to my mom – the words didn’t matter to her, but the reading of the book while showing her the illustrations brought a lightness to her face. In my (adult) writing classes, we read our stories out loud. Everyone LOVES reading their own stories as well as listening to those of others. What a fabulous post, Jennie.”
Stories are keepers, they are memories, they pierce the heart.
Jennie
P.S. Stay tuned for a reading aloud ritual that continues to be popular.
A Teacher's Reflections 
Wonderful testimonial, Jenny.
I was quite struck at these wonderful stories!
That’s a good one … and a great example of providing evidence of your thoughts.
Thank you, Frank.
Terrific comments, Jeanne.
Thank you, John. I was quite struck.
What a pleasant surprise to see my octopus book comment featured on your post this fine Monday morning.
🙂
I hope you’re getting better, but not pushing it, either!
Isn’t that just wonderful? 😀 I’m better and not pushing it. This is school vacation week, so the timing was perfect.
I love to read, but we have to remember that stories were originally oral, as the traditions of Beowulf, the Iliad, and the Griot remind us. It’s a rich way of getting lost in a tale with others joining you in the journey.
Yes, indeed! I tell as many stories as I read to children. The oral connection means children’s brains have to make the picture in their head and work harder to understand the words. Storytelling is a beautiful thing. Best to you, Mike.
I love these comments. It really stirs up memories for people
I was so struck by these stories! Yes, I think it stirred up memories for others.
Beautiful..reading aloud is truly healing 💛
Yes, indeed. Thank you, Ritu! 💕
What a beautiful post, Jennie. Reading aloud isn’t just for kids. It’s an act of love for adults too. ❤
You’re so right, Diana! Many thanks. 🥰
Jennie, I read so much that the thought of reading aloud never even entered my head. Now even as I type this to you, I read what I wrote. This is awesome!! Thank you! xo
Thank you, Amy. Reading is one thing, reading aloud is another. I learned early on in teaching that reading aloud has a major impact in all academic areas, not to mention the social and emotional connection. It’s been what I do for decades. I was live on The Kelly Clarkson Show to talk about this (really!), and I’m in Jim Trelease’s best seller book. Of course the most important thing is reading aloud to my preschool class every day. That’s how I grow readers.
Wow!!! I must get into a “habit” of reading aloud even if I am the only one in my audience. What an inspiration you are, Jennie! xo
Thank you! 🥰
Absolutely. I also read to my mom the last few days of her life. It was The Greatest Story Ever Told, so she’d know him when she saw him. I hope it comforted her.
This is wonderful, Jacqui. Thanks so much for telling your story. I will update my post to include this. Many thanks!
Thank you, Jennie.
You are welcome, and it is done. 🙂
Wonderful comments. I wrote a children’s book a few years into my mom’s dementia, illustrated beautifully by a friend. I read the book slowly to my mom – the words didn’t matter to her, but the reading of the book while showing her the illustrations brought a lightness to her face.
In my (adult) writing classes, we read our stories out loud. Everyone LOVES reading their own stories as well as listening to those of others. What a fabulous post, Jennie.
Wonderful! Thank you for sharing your story, Pam. I’m including this in the post.
Reblogged this on https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
Thank you, Michael!