How did anyone ever figure out how to make these little scratch marks? I often wonder about this. And how did I ever figure out how to understand them? Miracles! Seriously, to me the whole reading/writing process is truly miraculous. Perhaps this perception is heightened by the fact that I had a very difficult time learning how to do it. I still clearly remember looking at lines of text and feeling certain that they would never mean a thing to me. Fortunately I have always been curious (and more than a little stubborn). I wanted to know what the pictures in books were about. Wanting to know the whole story was what kept me trying to read even though I was pretty sure I’d never ‘get it’.
And the writing? Well, if writing was only about spelling, punctuation, grammar (and all that good stuff :-( I probably wouldn’t have written a word after I left school. Thank goodness writing is much more exciting than that. Writing is about ideas and dreams, it’s about feelings, about our pasts and about our futures. Writing comes from the beautiful places deep inside that make us who we are.
We've all got things to say, ideas to share, stories to tell. I’m really glad that I got to work with some people who are determined to find their voice and who were willing to share their words with me. Thank you! And thanks also to Denise for organizing the events and inviting me to be part of them.
By Kerry Fitzpatrick,
Keshen Goodman Library Adult Learning Program
This is the story about me attending the literacy program.
I have been coming to the Keshen Goodman Library for two years now and I really enjoy it. I have had two tutors so far and a beautiful friend who tutors me as well. My first tutor was Jennifer. She was great and she taught me a lot of information and I appreciate her for all that she has done.
I have a new tutor now; her name is June. She is a really terrific teacher and has taught me so much already. I don’t spend lots of time with her, but the time I do, which is on Wednesday evenings, I am grateful for. She is splendid at her job, and I hope she is my tutor for a long time to come.