For Christmas, we gave my Mom a Kindle. For all of Wilma’s 88 years, she has been a low-tech person. When computers were introduced to her work place in the mid-eighties, Mom said, “Thanks, but no thanks” and retired. She likes to read and though her eyesight is good, print books prove to be increasingly difficult for her to read these days. Her eyes get tired and water easily. As a long time eBook reader, first on a Palm, then an iPhone, and now an iPad, I was anxious for Mom to try an eReader to ease the burden on her aging eyes. Her reaction to the gift, captured on Christmas Eve, is below. She looks thrilled, right?

I’m happy to report that Mom is getting along very well with her Kindle. She’s read several books this winter. Wilma appreciates the larger text and light weight of the device. Troubleshooting problems as they arise continues to require ongoing tutorials, but I’m proud of her efforts to make this big change.

Since Kindle allows for sharing over six devices, we can load the same books on Mom’s Kindle, my iPad, and all of my other wonderful Apple devices, providing easy reading access almost anywhere. I’ve been mindful of the books I order from Amazon, choosing titles I think Mom will enjoy. This winter we’ve read  Laura Hillenbrand’s beautiful story, Unbroken; Stan Musial: An American Life by George Vecsey–a must read for every Cardinals fan; two books by Bridget Asher–The Pretend Wife and The Provence Cure for the Brokenhearted; Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen; Suze Orman’s The Money Class; and Emma Donoghue’s haunting Room: A Novel.

Some of these titles might not have been my first choice, but I purchased them because I thought Mom would enjoy them. Truthfully, it feels good to spread my reading wings a bit, and the added bonus of sharing my reading experience with Mom is priceless.