A little more than a week ago, I wrote about a nurse’s aide I call Cindy, who has been afraid or unable to read a book since she was humiliated by a teacher and her class about her reading while she was in the fourth grade.

I talked with her, gave her some ideas, watched her read, listened to her talk about her reading phobia, and brought her some books I thought might help build her confidence.

This morning, she sent me a message saying she would really love to see me today, and so I went to meet with her this afternoon; we met in the reception area of her doctor’s office.

When I came into the room, she rushed up to me, handed me a flower, and said, “thank, you, thank you, you are an angel; I read the book you gave me about the lambs this morning. I read it twice, then read it aloud, then read it to my husband. You were absolutely correct. It’s an emotional thing, I’m not stupid, and I know now that I can read.”

It was great news to hear and easier than I might have imagined. When I met Cindy (not her real name), she couldn’t even talk about reading without bursting into tears and shaking, so great was the ridicule and humiliation she endured from her mother, her teacher, her classmates.

She was thrilled today. She knows she can read. I thought it is so easy to scar a sensitive child for life. I know, I am one, and I married one.

She said she went upstairs to a quiet and private room, closed the door, and read the book – she loved the photos of the lambs; they relaxed her. She cried once or twice and then settled down.

The books were specially designed for people who fear reading – there are many reasons. I think the lamb caught her eye, made her curious, and helped her feel safe.

I told her to read alone where nobody could see her or laugh at her; it was between her and the book. She took it from there. She very much wanted to read and cries almost every time she talks about it.

I will try to think of her every time I pick up a book and be grateful.

After reading the lamb book, she then called her very supportive husband up to the room and read the book to him. He was thrilled. He is a good man.

She is eager for more books.

We talked about stepping the reading level up a bit, we went over some different genres, and she liked romance novels. I ordered three from our local bookstore, Battenkill Books, and I’ll get them to her tomorrow or Wednesday.

I told her to go steady but try to make a reading in the morning – her quiet and alone time – a habit, not a test or big deal.

She began telling me about her mother’s cruelty and lack of support, but I drew the line at that. I can help you get your reading confidence back, she said, but your issues with your mother are over my head. It would help if you talked to a therapist.

Are you ready for that, I asked?

I suggested it because that will help in so many more ways. I dislike and distrust amateur shrinks. To me, that is unethical.

Cindy said she and her husband had talked about it, and he supported the idea as long as she didn’t badmouth him.

Was he kidding, I asked? Not really, she said.

I laughed.

I said that was an issue that was between them. I gave her the number of a therapist I have recommended before. She said she would call her this week.

This was great news for me to hear. I’m happy for me, and I’m happy for her. Small acts of great kindness are sacred to me.

When all is said and done, I did very little. She was ready to read. She just needed what she probably needed all along, some encouragement and reassurance, rather than humiliation and criticism.

I can’t wait to hear how she feels about the romance novels. She has  no interest in being a literary snob.  She is on fire to read.

I think is going to work. I think it already has.

___ Photo of Scotty by Maria Wulf