Mom started reading the Harry Potter series aloud to me when I was five years old. We read one chapter every night well into fifth grade. We loved the series so much, we read the first four books three times while waiting for the release of Order of the Phoenix. She taught me to read out loud with the Harry Potter books. She always encouraged me to discuss themes and underlying plots throughout the series. Mom never shied from talking about the heavy references to death and loss and always focused on the ideas of love, friendship and strength. To this day, even with our busy lives, we set aside time to read the same books and discuss them in great length. I was taught that reading was like breathing - one needed it to thrive.
The word “Always.” may not be the biggest or most important moment in the Harry Potter series but it really captures my love for my mom and my love for books. (It doesn’t hurt that “Always” plays a role in The Hunger Games, either. Another book series Mom and I have bonded over.) So thank you, Mom, for all you’ve done for me in the last eighteen years. I love you always.
Done at Big Deluxe Tattoo in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 4th (my mom’s birthday!).
