“The true way to live is to enjoy every moment as it passes – it is in the everyday things around us that the beauty of life lies.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder

Oh how I love Laura. Her books have become a nightly tradition my children and I treasure. We’ve read the entire Little House series and have listened to them on audiobook several times. Laura’s stories have expanded our world in countless ways. The love of family and the tales of a simpler time make my heart happy. Her connection to nature and a fierce spirit of independence are inspiring.

How, in just a few generations have we forgotten so much of this rich history? Laura and her family give it a name and a face, her stories come to life in our imagination. My children devour the tales of traveling by covered wagon and sleeping under star filled skies. Laura conveys a brave and hopeful spirit, beautifully describing a simpler life. A time, not so long ago, when America was new and the land was open and untouched. It has been an adventure each night as we feel we are there in the little cabin with Pa playing his fiddle by the warm fire.

Building memories with my children, expanding their sense of history and appreciation for the past is a gift. Laura has blessed me with this and become a dear friend. All these years later – her story, her strength, inspires a new generation. What a legacy she has created through the power of story. I am grateful for cherished moments each night, when I see the world through Laura’s eyes.