My Birthday Wish Is Coming True

It’s true. Dreams really can come true.

Wait–my birthday isn’t until April 28th. What’s this talk about a birthday wish so early in the year?

I am a planner. Chris and I HAVE to be planners with the kind of life we live right now. Organizing our calendars and making sure we are on the same page is something that we have to do on a weekly basis or else we are lost.

So you know I love books.

You know I love reading.

You know I love giving books as gifts.

You know I love making a difference.

You know I love Little Free Libraries.

You know where this is going, right?

I am putting up a Little Free Library for my birthday!!!! Notice the exclamation marks. They are appropriate in this case.

My own charter number! It’s official!

It is my gift from Chris and from anyone else who wants to join in the fun. I have always wanted to put one up but we never lived where it made sense to have one in our yard. Especially since we move a bit. No sense asking someone else to keep up with it, right?

So this is the year it is going to happen. I got a no from the first location but the second location said a resounding YES and in April there will be a brand new Little Free Library located at The Whistlestop Market just down the road from me in Cedar Mountain, NC. Owners Diane Slover and Val Gerdes were both there the day I went in to broach the subject of putting a Little Free Library somewhere on their property and I did not have to do a sales pitch at all. These ladies get it. They understand that their spot on route 276 is a great location and their customers are some of the best folks around. They are a bright spot in the community and happy to give back when they can. Recently they helped organize and deliver massive quantities of supplies for firefighters fighting the wildfires in our area.

I asked my good friend Rod of Rodu Folk Art if he would be willing to build me a library instead of me purchasing one and he was happy to oblige. I can not wait to see what he comes up with but I know it is going to be wonderful. Check out his work on his Facebook page here to see some of the amazing items that he creates. I am not going to tip my hand yet as to what we are thinking it will be but trust me–it will fit in at The Whistlestop Market perfectly.

Little Free Libraries are popping up everywhere and mine will be one of over 50,000 registered ones world wide. The philosophy is to provide books free of charge to anyone who wants one. Folks are also encouraged to leave a book as well if they have one to donate. As “steward” I will oversee the library and make sure that it is stocked with great books for all ages.

Several of my friends have been successful in getting Little Free Libraries set up in their hometowns as well. Val from Corn Beans Pigs and Kids shares in her post here about the one in Latimer, Iowa. Audrey from Minnesota Prairie Roots shares the joy of seeing one installed in her childhood home of Vesta, Minnesota.

I am thrilled to say the least. This will be the best birthday ever. If you are an author and would like to donate a copy of your book to my library I would love it. I will also be asking that anyone who normally gives me a birthday gift just give me a book or a donation for my Little Free Library this year.

If you have happened upon a Little Free Library I would love to hear about it. Don’t forget that every comment this month means a 50 cent donation to The Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County. Every comment counts.