I loved this story, Sarah. It also reminded me how lucky I was to have parents who supported my love of reading. My mother was a devout Catholic, but she also had a masters degree from Columbia and detested censorship.

Whenever we’d go to a department store, the one thing my parents would never say no to was when we asked to buy a book. My mother once told me she thinks my father must have bought me at least five versions of Little Red Riding Hood.

One time, my elementary school took us to the library and I selected a book of ghost stories from the adult section. The teacher’s aide in charged made me put it back. She said only children’s books were allowed.

Naturally, I complained to my mother. She sent me to school the next day with a note that said, “Denise has my permission to check out books from any section of the library.” I still have my library card from back then, too. Thanks for reminding me to be grateful.