A READER'S MOTHER RESPONDS

By Dan Miller
August 27, 2007

In my previous essay, I wrote about my daughter's passion for reading.
It's a passion I attribute directly to McKensie's mother, and to her wonderful teachers.

Thanks to all of you who sent emails.... I read and appreciate every comment.

One in particular I'd like to share.
It came to me from Kathy Halliburton:

Dear Dan,
Your third grader sounds a lot like mine. Kandace just turned 9 this past Sunday and is a reading machine.
My other three children (15, 14 and 10 years old) moan and groan when they see Kandace coming toward them with a book in her hand.

"Mom, can't you make her read silently?", they beg.

She is always reading aloud and wanting an audience.
Sometimes when I pass by her bedroom door, I see her on the bed... surrounded by pillows... a book in her hand...
And in her voice I hear each of the wonderful teachers she has had.

I hear the patience of Mrs. Hoosier, her preschool teacher.
I hear the soft voice of her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Simpkins.
I hear the youthful excitement of Miss Justice, her first grade teacher.
I hear the laughter and humor of her second grade teacher, Miss Howell.
Even though she has only been in third grade a few weeks, I already hear the southern sweetness of Mrs. Chandler.

How blessed Kandace has been to have these teachers in her life.

We will just say a little prayer that McKensie and Kandace will keep their love for reading.
Who knows? Maybe some day they will have the wonderful opportunity of teaching someone how to read!

Have a great day.
Kathy Halliburton

Thanks Kathy.
A really nice tribute to Kandace's teachers.

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