January 19: Disposable Treasures

By Magdalena I. García

I didn’t tell you yesterday that my copy of Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, written by James Weldon Johnson and illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist, is used. I buy used books all the time, especially children’s books, at the Half Price Books store near my house, where you find incredible treasures on the clearance shelf for $1 or $2. And I stop by the bookstore almost every week, on the way to the supermarket, so, needless to say, I have a sizable children’s library.

Most of the time, I find books that are like new, in perfect condition. This one happens to be gently used, but I was attracted by the colorful and intriguing illustrations. Then I opened the cover and was equally fascinated by the handwritten dedication. Here is how it reads:

“2-1-2000
To Jeffrey
With our love
May we all one day—
lift our voices to sing together.

To you Jeffrey—
May all your dreams & hopes
be carried safely
on the Wings of Eagles—
We look forward to you & your future.

With much love,

Justice & Mrs. Charles E. Freeman
Illinois Supreme Court”

It makes me wonder why Jeffrey would get rid of such a wonderful book, especially when it was a gift from such a unique person, and with such a lovely dedication. Well, perhaps Jeffrey thinks he is too old for picture books. Or perhaps Jeffrey wanted to give another young person the chance to enjoy this marvelous book. Or perhaps Jeffrey was desperate for cash. Or perhaps Jeffrey, like many of us, is simply entangled in the web of this society of disposable treasures, where everything seems to have relative value.

I like holding this gently-used book, and thinking that some day, if I become a disposable treasure, someone will rescue me from the clearance shelf, and caress me as I tell my story.