The Family that Reads Together

Chances are you know one: a family separated by the economics of our times.

For some, it is a hard fact that the primary wage-earner's job is in another province. For others, it's that the training or schooling required to adjust to job loss and forge a new future is not available in northwestern Ontario.

It isn't a secret that my family has joined the ranks of the latter--or that we are a family of readers.

I will never forget the afternoon I was driving and suddenly realized that the van was quiet--too quiet. For one terrible mooment I thought that I had left home without the girls. Then I realized that they were both in their seats, reading.

Anyone who has travelled more than a mile down the highway with two children know what a gift reading can be for the adults up front. Our family just doesn't travel without at least one good book each and a bagful of Archie comics for good measure.

But this summer's travels were different. We knew we would be apart when September came. There was an unspoken reluctance to indulge in individual pursuits--not a problem when enjoying a performance of The Lion King or the water park at the West Edmonton Mall or grilling hotdogs in the rockies. But as we drove out of Calgary heading east, the books lay unopened in a thick silence.

And then came my husband's offer.

"How about Mom drives and I read out loud?"

I was behind the wheel before the three emphatic yes's had faded.

The girls and their father have been enjoying the company of Tanis Half-Elven, Tasselhoff Burrfoot, Flint Fireforge, Sturm Brightblade and Raistlin and Caramon Majere in the Dragonlance series of books for a couple of years. Now, as we sped homeward, the circle broadened to include me.

From Calgary to Medicine Hat to Moose Jaw, Winnipeg, Kenora: the miles disappeared as we chuckled or gasped or groaned at their adventures.

When my husband left for school, his luggage included the first book of a new Dragonlance trilogy, a special gift from his girls. A quick download of skype has ensured that our family continutes to enjoy an evening read together, although we're two provinces apart.

My laptop is perched on the dresser, and the girls and I see the face and hear the voicfe of the one we love and miss.

Like so many other families in our community, we are facing the emotional, social and financial challenges of change. Making sure that we can gather around the shared joy of reading goes a long way to ease those challenges.