Feed Their Minds

You’re probably wondering what the title “Feed Their Minds” has to do with Alleluia Baskets. Please let me explain.

When TJ invited me to contribute to this wonderful blog, I was excited and humbled—then anxiety set in.

I asked myself: What should I write about that would help blog readers and contributors, and bring joy to Alleluia Basket recipients?

As is my usual practice when I need spiritual advice, I whispered a prayer to the Holy Spirit for guidance and inspiration.

Almost immediately, an image of Karen Mesler standing behind the tall desk at All Saints School Library with a line of eager students waiting in front flashed through my mind.

I remembered vividly the days I volunteered there as a library helper and saw the beatific smile of Mrs. Mesler—as the students addressed her—when they returned or checked out their borrowed books. Their Librarian, Mrs. Mesler, always took time to praise them for their selections, to patiently answer their endless questions, and to offer suggestions for what they might want to read next. She even took time to walk younger students to shelves and helped them find books that might interest them.

That vision of the All Saints School Library led to my inspiration: To write how books “feed the minds” of readers longing to discover knowledge and adventures found on printed pages of books—not electronic ones, but physical ones held in their hands.

Imagine years from now if a book donated in an Alleluia Basket were treasured by a grateful recipient who might tell their grandchild, “I remember when I got this book in my Alleluia Basket when I was ten years old. Let me read you the book that changed my life.”

So, rather than, or in addition to sweets, if you’re thinking of adding extra-special gifts for Alleluia Baskets, please remember to “feed their minds” with age-appropriate books.

I’ve included links to several places where you can find stories about Easter and other faith-based books. Coloring books, art books, and sidewalk chalk are also ways to unleash the creative side of younger minds and open a new world of possibilities.

If you search websites for Main Street Books in St. Charles, Barnes and Noble, or Amazon, you will find selections to fit just about any age or price range. For word search books, coloring books, and sidewalk chalk, I’ve seen lower prices at Target, Walmart, and Dollar Tree. While picking up a birthday card at Schnucks, I noticed a Bargain Bin with books discounted as much as eighty percent, including books for children. Next to the Bargain Bin sat a rack of large- print word search books. Not everyone can afford the Internet, so keep in mind our homeless or needy teens and Senior Citizens. Often, Senior Citizens live alone and long for the company of a good book or a word search book to keep their hands and minds occupied.

Here is a selection of curated books I found while browsing online:

“Easter Books” | Your St. Charles Independent Bookseller since 1993 (indielite.org) (This is a very sweet book sold at a local independent book store.) Please keep in mind supporting local businesses.