It is said that we are what we eat. For our physical being, yes, but since the printing press, we are what we read. Our character, morals, behavior, and vocation or profession, we got, at least in part, from a book. In our modern, information overloaded society, we are influenced by what we hear, see, and even feel, but the real essence of us will always be found in what we assimilate of the written word.

I was read to by my mother and father from an early age. I can still feel the comfort of those words being spoken to me. There was a good collection of books always available and even if the words held no meaning for me, the pictures explained a lot. I learned early that books held the key to anything I wanted to know.

When I got to the first grade and reading was taught, I needed no encouragement. I never mastered any other subject, but I learned to read, and from the time I did, my life was richer. Since then, I do not recall a time when there hasn't been a book nearby.

I remember my first trip to a library in the small town where we lived. I am certain that the library held few books, but they were more than I had ever seen in one place and I was thrilled as I turned and saw then in all directions. Libraries are places of adventure. Within a few minutes, I can find a book to take me any place I want to go, even to other worlds, or past battles. Some are so wonderfully described that when I visit them, I find myself pointing out where regiments were placed, and how they charged up that hill.

"How do you know that?"  I am asked, "Were you here?"

"Yes," is my immediate answer, then the truth, "No, I read it in a book." But you know, I was there. I smelled the sulfur from the gunpowder, the sweat of the men, heard the shouts of the charge, and the groans and cries of the wounded. I ran with the men and felt my lungs and legs burn with exhaustion. I felt the fear, the sadness of loss, and the thrill of victory. Yeah, I was there and never left my desk.

I was taught that I should associate with, and emulate successful people. That is easy to do if you can read. At an early age, I knew George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Daniel Boone, George Washington Carver, George Armstrong Custer, Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin, Ivanhoe, Lewis and Clark, and literally hundreds of others. I met, and adventured with them all in a series of little blue books that I forget the name of, but I will never forget their content. I never shook David Crockett's hand, but he taught me to, "Be always sure you are right, then go ahead." I've been trying to live by that since I read it. It is part of who I am.

No matter where you want to go in your life, you got where you are, and will get where you are going because you read about it somewhere. If you don't understand this, I suggest you go find a book and get lost in it. Your way will become clear even if the rest of us can't see it.    

David Wilson Atwood is a local writer whose human-interest columns offer a unique perspective. He may be contacted, at www.starchasers.us or david@starchasers.us.