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Reader’s Digest Files for Bankruptcy Protection (Update2) - Bloomberg.com

I read this rather sad article today about the Reader's Digest declaring bankruptcy and it made me think of my father. He was born and raised in rural Kentucky and was a bit dyslectic. As a result I don't think they taught him how to read properly. Consequently, reading was difficult for him his whole life and in his youth he was not well read at all. Reader's Digest was a godsend for my Dad because it was short, to the point, easy to read in larger type, and with content that was interesting, timely, educational, often inspiring, and nearly always wholesome. The Reader's Digest became an indispensable part of his life and practically the only thing he ever read besides the Bible. He read every issue cover to cover and sometimes more than once. He was so attached to it that he just could not bring himself to throw out the old issues he had read. Our house was always littered with stacks and stacks of past Reader's Digest issues.

I have to admit that although I'm not a regular Reader's Digest reader anymore I still pick up a copy at the airport once in awhile and read it on the flight for old times sake. And yes, I have a favorite Reader's Digest article. I don't remember the author or the date of the issue but I remember the story exactly after more than fifty years. It was the story of a young boy who got his first job mowing grass for a wise old neighbor lady. The lady offered to pay $2.00 a week [keep in mind we're talking about early 1950's] for a regular mowing job and $4.00 for "the best mowing job there ever was." The boy asked "what's the difference" and the lady said "that's up to you to decide yourself." I learned about honor, striving to do your very best, and the satisfaction of hard work in one simple 500 word article in the Reader's Digest. I've never forgotten it and I believe it changed my life.

Comments

Steve Ross said…
I like your post dad. I remember seeing the Reader's Digests around our house in Milwaukee. I remember liking to read the jokes section. I think it was titled "Laughter is the Best Medicine".

-Steve

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