I did not believe it would ever happen. Our Book Truck Guy strolls in: “I’ve got some books for you.”
Ms. G looks at his empty hands for a moment, puzzled. She’s thinking, “So. . .where are they? I don’t see any books? Why would you tell me you have books when you don’t have any books. . .”
“They’re out in the hall.”
“Oh.” pause. realization. no way. “OOOOHHHHHHH!”
There they were. The huge order we placed to bring our library into the 21st century. All $19,000 worth. Science, History, Poetry! Topics the kids have been dying for, like soccer, current biographies, and awaited additions to several fiction series. There were shouts and cries alive with sheer joyousness. I may have teared up. It’s entirely possible.
Only issue? We ordered these books two years ago. Before California’s Budget Crisis consumed every resource we had. Before the economy got so bad I was thankful for even bookfair junk. To see this; this was magic. This was a miracle. Everyone told me I’ d never see a single page of those books.
Now, don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I’m not thankful. I know a blessing when I see one. But alot happens in two years, enough to make you feel a little dumb as you start opening boxes. Like the 5 copies of “Diary of a Whimpy Kid” that were already finagled through various donations. Or the soccer books that don’t have last years’ world cup winners in them (and you’d better believe the kids notice). Or that biography of a young Illinois senator who, two years ago, was only just getting his “I’m going to make history” groove going.
But no matter, we are grateful to have these new books and our 900 kids will love them until they, quite literally, fall to pieces. Universe, however you managed to pull this one off, I humbly thank you.
