A Surprise Visit From The Kid

I do not think I have mentioned enough lately how much I love The Kid.  He is really something.  Yesterday he played a great baseball game.  Today he made the Top 5 Readers in third grade.  In reality he should be much higher than 5th.  He reads all the time.  The problem is the way this contest is set up.  The students have to read chapter books and be tested when they finish the book.  The Kid likes to read books of facts or encyclopedia type books.  He likes to learn from his reading.  I would be thrilled if I could tell you he was the Number 1 reader in third grade.  But.....I would much rather tell you that my grandson reads for enjoyment and learns while he is doing it.  I do not want him to compromise his joy of reading to win a contest.  He does not need a gift card to Barnes & Noble.  I think he has an in with someone that will buy him books.
Today The Kid could not wait for me to get home from work.  He wanted us to sit outside and read.  We went to my front patio.  Unfortunately, I started looking at my flowers.  That lead to some weeding.  Sweeping the patio.  Finally, I was reminded we were outside to read.  Something I have not been doing enough of lately.  Put my passion for reading higher on my priority list.  It brings me joy.  Sitting side by side on the patio reading with The Kid, major joy!!
I hope that years down the road The Kid will still remember to make time for reading.  I hope that he will still have that passion.  I hope that once in awhile when he picks up a book  he will remember sitting on the patio side by side reading with me.  Most importantly, I hope he and his wife consider a great date going to the bookstore.  I hope once in awhile they shut the TV off and sit side by side reading. 
Why not take this one step further.  I hope he reads on the airplane to relax as he flies to his next professional basketball game.  Don't let him know I said that.  He will say, I don't want to be a professional basketball player.  I want to be a Geologist or a Marine Biologist.  He is a great kid.