Gifts. Many of us will be opening gifts over the next week. The gift of reading is something I have been reflecting on lately. I never want to take for granted that I can read. As simple and potentially sappy as it sounds, it's a fantastic gift given to me and you.

Think about it. You and I learned how to read at some point in our lives. Somebody taught us (unless you taught yourself, then...you are amazing!). It may have been a parent, grandparent, teacher…whoever. What a gift they gave us! Because we can read, we have been given a lifelong skill that can make us wiser, more thoughtful, intelligent, competent, and innovative. The gift of reading can evoke every emotion that is within us. The gift of reading can cause us to act. The gift of reading can bring us new friends and make that vacation a little sweeter because of the book we brought along. The gift of reading is so powerful that we find ourselves wanting to help those around us learn how to read for many reasons.

As we close out 2022, let us be thankful for the ability to read. Never take it for granted. And maybe it's also time to say "thank you" to the special person who taught us to read if they are still with us.

Keep on reading.

Jason

*BookshelfTracker is an app that lets you organize the books you own, track who you lend them to, and more. Learn more on our website bookshelftracker.com