My Little Free Library

I recently had a birthday. I no longer to do a large family celebration, as it’s getting harder and harder to get everyone together at the same time. This birthday was certainly not a milestone, and I didn’t feel the need to command the presence of everyone. A future birthday may be different, and I think I’d like to offer a destination party at some point. We’ll see when the time comes whether or not I can pull it off!

When I turn a year older, the kids always ask, “What do you want for your birthday?” I usually don’t have a response other than “You don’t need to get me anything.” And I really do mean it.

Our girls always get me something, but it’s usually what they think I need, and it’s probably something I really do need but have chosen not to spend money on. I’m thinking I may not be doing a good job of communicating, but I really don’t care and I’m never disappointed in their choices for my birthday gift.

Little Free Library: My Birthday Surprise

This year, I got a tremendous surprise. I opened a small gift bag and the card said my birthday gift was outside the garage. I went out the door and saw a big red wooden box labeled “Little Free Library.” I was shocked! I was thrilled! I was amazed at their creativity! (They’re always creative, but with hectic schedules I don’t expect birthday gifts that are thought of more than two hours/days prior to the birthday. I never expect a handmade gift!)

To my amazement, my Little Free Library even had books in it all ready to go! The grandkids said they would even help install the library on the weekend. BONUS!

Our son-in-law took control of supervising the installation of the library. As a group, they determined the proper location, depth for the post and the digging began. I don’t think I’ve really looked at our soil two feet down, and it certainly isn’t pretty. In fact, it’s amazing we have anything growing in our yard.

The hole was dug, the post inserted and leveled, and then the same crappy dirt was put back in the hole to stabilize the post. The Little Free Library was then attached to the post. My grandkids had a wonderful time learning to use the level (properly and improperly), reviewing the book collection, and checking to see if they actually wanted to let go of their beloved books. The Free Little Library was ready for business!

Guidelines for a Little Free Library

The grandkids told me there were guidelines for having a Little Free Library, and I needed to research and follow those guidelines. Since when do grandkids have the nerve to tell me what to do? (Okay, they have the nerve to tell me what to do every time I see them. They have my genes.)

• Recycle early and often. I can do that. We have enough books in our home library that I can provide a new items for the collection each and every day.
• Expect books to come back from the dead. I’m flexible and the thrill of bringing books back to life is exciting.
• People like pretty and don’t like ugly. I don’t agree with this as some of my favorite books are worn and tired…kind of like me. I will accept this tip as I understand my “library friends” are just passing by and looks matter.
• Leave room. Don’t fill up the library. Allow “library friends” to bring their gently-used books to fill the library.
• Refresh early and often. If books aren’t chosen in a couple of days, change them out and replace later.

I got to thinking…the tips for the Little Free Library are also tips for being a good grandma.

• Recycle early and often. No need to change everything in your life, but change things to keep the grandkids guessing what’s going on in your life.
• Expect books to come back from the dead. Remind the grandkids that black and white movies are okay to watch. Lessons can be learned from them.
• People like pretty and don’t like ugly. I always try to reinforce with the grandkids that being pretty or beautiful is not a physical trait, but an emotional one. Treating others with respect makes you beautiful.
• Leave room. I need to remind myself to leave lots of room for the grandkids’ new likes and loves in their lives. They’ll be ever-changing individuals, and I need to be receptive to their identities.
• Refresh early and often. I need to keep an open mind to new things, which includes technology. If one of them asks me to FaceTime them, I need to be ready to do it, not say “I don’t know how to do it.”

Little Free Library has taught me a lot about providing a service for our community, but also tips for staying lovingly connected to my grandkids. What a wonderful birthday gift!