This was my very first library. Tomah, Wisconsin, 1967. I was five years old, clutching the hand of my sister, so much older and wiser than me at eight. She was so cool. I wanted to be just like her. I chased after her everywhere and always held her hand. We laugh now looking at the pictures, still very close, being able to see my “happiness” holding her hand, at the same time seeing her “unhappiness” holding my hand. She was trying to grow up, and I was a pest to her… her “little brother,” holding her back as she was trying to be seen as older.
We lived several miles out of town, which to me meant we lived all by ourselves out in the country. Forty acres and one side of the highway, and another 40 on the other side. Adventure everywhere.
Great in many ways to have such a small world. But there’s so much out there waiting for us.
My sister and I used to go to the library in town together, just a few blocks from our school. It was such a fun place of wonder and discovery. I could get any book I wanted!
I started my journey here, with each shelf offering something new to learn. A new idea, a new journey, something unexpected. The world was waiting.
I had no idea where life would take me. Small town to New York City, with quite a few stops in between. The world can be your oyster, if you dare to follow your dreams, and see where they take you.
Thank you, Andrew Carnegie!
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