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Sunday 3 February 2013

Gone with the Wind

So here we are again, the beginning of another month means it is time for Sian's meme - Storytelling Sunday 3 and this year with the theme 'Pick Your Precious - celebrating the little things you love: those souvenirs, bits and pieces, things from your past you can't bear to throw out.' If you would like to read more, please hop on over to this post here where you can do so.

I love reading. I have always loved reading. I can never remember a time when I haven't had a book on my bedside table and another in the lounge! I always have at least two books on the go!

When I was 14 I had an accident. Not life threatening, but incapacitating. I was running the 100m during PE at school (I hated PE by the way, apart from netball, I am not at all sporty) and when I was nearly at the finish someone watching stuck their leg out and tripped me up. I ended up in hospital and was diagnosed with torn ligaments in my ankle. In those days they put you in plaster to let the ligaments heal, so there I was with my leg plastered from ankle to knee and told to go and sit down, not move and rest for the next 3 days before getting up onto crutches.

So, what could I do during that time? Read of course! My sister, who has always known me so well, went to town with my Mum and they bought the biggest book they could get - Gone with the Wind. Well, I sat down with that book and read it from cover to cover in those three days. I loved the romance, the thrills and the tension. I loved Scarlett, I loved Rhett and I just couldn't see what she saw in Ashley! That book is still with me. The cover is torn and falling off I have read it so many times. I probably read it at least once I year. It is such an old friend and really PRECIOUS to me.

 If you have never read it - you should! Not long after reading the book they film was re-released and I was lucky enough to go to the cinema in Berkhamsted to see it with Pippa and my Mum and Dad. I had never been to a film that had an interval before! The cinema was not packed. Apart from the four of us, there were only a handful of people watching. What a wonderful film. I now have it on DVD!

 
I have many books that are precious to me, but this one really does have a special place in my heart
  • because Pippa chose it for me and wrote in the front
  • because it got me through three days of boredom
  • because I just love the story
Inside the book
 And here is a photo of me, in the back garden at home, with my leg in the cast!
Look at those old wooden crutches!


I hope you have enjoyed my little story. Don't forget that you can find a wealth of wonderful tales by hopping over to Sian's blog.

23 comments:

Missus Wookie said...

Ouch on the three days in plaster - but ooh how nice that your family knew what to do :) Gone with the wind is an amazing story, I read the book many years ago. So nice you have the book still - do like a book that shows it's been loved and read so much.

Jo said...

That is a great story. I have books that I would never get rid of because of the memories they hold.

Unknown said...

Oh wow, great story and I had that copy of it too :) I haven't read it for years, I must get it out. What a kind thoughtful sister.

Sheena said...

great story Becky x
I've never read it but now think I'll give it a go. Many thanks for sharing x

Sian said...

I love this story! Being such a reader myself, I can totally relate to the pleasure you got from your gift. I can remember my Mum bringing me a copy of Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Long Winter" when I was sick once and how much I enjoyed discovering a new author when I felt so down. So I think this is a perfect precious! (and as always you have the right photo to go with your story - you must have a fabulous collection!) Thanks for this one Becky.

Karen said...

Oh, great story, and made me think of several stories I could tell that I hadn't thought of in a long time!

scrappyjacky said...

I too have books that I love and could never get rid of.

Denise said...

I'm loving reading all these lovely stories and yours is a great one, good photo too.lovely x

Abi said...

Oh I can never throw books. Especially the ones I come back to again and again. There is something about those dog eared pages.

Sandra said...

Your story bought back very happy memories for me today :) I'm with you, it's such a wonderful book - I read the so called sequel to it "Scarlett" when it came out many years later ... Not a patch on Margaret Mitchell

Melissa said...

This is one of my absolute favorite books, too, and I've read it numerous times. I don't have a story about my copy, but I do have other items Robbie's picked up for my collection - a anniversary edition of the movie in a red velvet box - and a music box from my mom with Rhett & Scarlett out for a ride.

I always have more than one book going at a time, too, and never enjoyed PE!

Lythan said...

I've never read GWTW, but I love the fact that this one is precious - with its battered cover and inscription too :)

♥ Liz ♥ said...

I've never read it but after reading your lovely story I might just give it a go :0)

Anonymous said...

How lovely to have a sister that knew you so well. Good choice of book and I too couldn't see the attraction of Ashley compared to Rhett.

Alison said...

A lovely story Becky...books with inscriptions are so special.
Alison xx

Unknown said...

What a neat story! Books are indeed special, especially the ones that get read a bunch of times. I have a special book too. :) I haven't read "Gone With the Wind," but I think I need to!

Maria Ontiveros said...

What a great story and photograph. I just recently rewatched Gone with the Winds - it's an awesome story.
Rinda

Anonymous said...

That has to be my most favourite book. How wonderful of Pippa to be so thoughtful and think of getting you a book to help pass those 3 days. You've made me think of the books I have that are precious to me.

dogmatix said...

Lovely story. I love it when books are given to me with notes inside. My mum used to write in all the books she gave us (and still writes in the ones she gives me today) and they are all precious and will never get thrown out :-)

Lou said...

oooh that sounds painful. The inscription in the book makes it all the more precious. Great story.

Susanne said...

I love that book - and I am pretty sure the GWTW was the first movie I saw in the theatre.

Miriam said...

Your story is lovely and your book looks so loved, precious indeed.

Unknown said...

Ouch! I have torn the ligaments in my ankle quite a few times but how different the treatment was even in the 90's. I never had to have plaster but I did find the wooden crutches much easier to use than the newer plastic ones. I blame Netball for ruining my ankles. That book is a terrific read and the only advantage to each time I was injured was the free time I could spend reading too!