Family Reading Time
Preface
My wife and I raised eight children. We made a significant effort to have frequent evening meals together. These dinners helped us to stay connected with our children and their activities and interests.
Central aspects of our evening repast were first the formal blessing, (this is the first item in the anthology) the second aspect was a recitation of a poem or prose passage and the discussion which followed. This was almost always enjoyable and educational. My wife Candy is a primary reason we had the dinner time recitations in the first place. She also encouraged me to compile this anthology.
I decided to compile this anthology to give families appropriate, convenient material they might use with their family meals. Of course, individuals may enjoy reading this anthology anytime.
I do not know what effect this ultimately had on our children’s character or behavior. My wife Candy had a dominant role in their Christian formation, but even today they still sometimes refer to us as “the parental unit.” We did try to stick together when dealing with discipline or most important matters vis a vis our admirable progeny.
We are both proud that all eight of our children remain faithful Catholic Christians in this chaotic world. Perhaps our evening recitations and discussions did play a role. Our grown children appreciate the sanctity of life and welcome the next generation of children into family life. They are forming their own children for a kind, faithful, generous, holy, productive life with salvation as the ultimate goal. I hope readers will enjoy these reflections of our heritage.
Introduction
This anthology is a particular slice of English and American literature that I find entertaining, fascinating, and educational. It is a small anthology collected from my personal preferences. Many selections are from authors I like who have stood the test of time, such as William Shakespeare, John Milton, William Blake, Robert Burns, Robert Frost, etc.
Many Common topics are treated in manifold ways by various poets. For example, the prevalent topic of romantic love is presented in various modes. There is Robert Burns glorious and intimate, "A Red, Red Rose," Shakespeare's "Shall I Compare thee to a Summers Day," is staider while Robert Herrick's "To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time," is much more sanguine.
There are inspirational readings such as John Donne's masterpiece the 17th Meditation, (This Bell Tolling Softly for Another Says to Me, Thou Must Die). Educational poems like Robert Burns' "To a Mouse" and "To a Louse" give us the famous lines, "The best-laid schemes of mice and men often go astray," and "oh would some power the gift to give us, to see ourselves as others see us."
Inspirational, poignant, and meaningful quotes by several renowned individuals from Marcus Aurelius to Mother Theresa, such as "the happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts," and "kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless" are presented.
I have included as a sort of cameo two amateur poems I wrote. I thought they might feel good surrounded by such famous poems.
This anthology is inspired by family dinner recitations my wife and I had with our eight children as they were growing up. I hope it might be useful to other families and individuals who love good literature.
