My grandma’s bathroom was nothing special. It was a small room with green carpet, the kind that was popular in the 70’s and 80’s. It had a formica sink in a small vanity and a bathtub with no shower. She had a selection of little soaps that she had collected over the years. They had a small layer of dust on them as they were not to be used, only enjoyed.
A small radio hung from the cabinet. It housed a toilet paper roll, although the radio never picked up any stations. The closet held the usual amount of items, including towels; soaps; and personal hygiene products. The toilet had a fuzzy cover over the lid, making it fall while it was up – which was challenging for a boy to go pee.
Beside the stool, in a little wooden container, lived her Reader’s digests. This little magazine in this little bathroom brings back memories for me. I would steal moments of time reading her copies. I fell in love with this magazine in her bathroom. The stories were entertaining and simple. The jokes tickled me and the stories made me smile.
Twenty-five years later, I am a subscriber to Reader’s digest. In this day, I can get information electronically at the touch of a cell-phone button. Television has 200 channels and runs 24-hours a day. But this little magazine, full of stories and jokes, quotes and quizzes, still attracts my attention.
I collect the issues and read them when I can. The magazine reminds me of simpler times. It reminds me of my grandma. The stories are both current and nostalgic. They make me smile and they make me cry. They make me think and they make me forget. I read them, dog-ear the issues where I have been, and I tear out the pages. I use the stories to provide motivation or insight. I find interesting ideas to use and I find fun ideas to implement. I have a file of pages the I have torn out that I plan on using to help me make this blog wonderful.
Reader’s digest is a wonderful memory to me. I am so happy that in this digital age, it is still printed in it’s traditional size. It fits just right in the basket that I keep next to my toilet in my little bathroom.
Average Fadre 