Perhaps it was the light snow falling outside or the absence of any interesting programming on the television but something made me agree to take our 4-year-old to the Fountain Library to see the llama.
Whatever the reason I'm glad I did.
I'm not a library-type person, not now and not when I was in school, so this was no everyday trip. As we drove there visions of dark gloomy aisles stacked with rows of musty books flashed to mind sending shivers up my spine. I recalled my college English professor saying to me, "You do know what a library is? Right?" It was too late by then to turn around. The parking lot was before me.
Our four-year-old was somewhat more optimistic. She wanted to see the llama and get a book. My wife was just as excited, this being our first "family" venture in quite some time. Fortunately she was oblivious to the fact that my mind was at that very moment searching desperately an excuse, any excuse, to go somewhere else.
It was a long walk to the door. The sky rumbled with a distant thunder as the black turbulent clouds swirled above in an angry dance. Somewhere far in the distance a lonely wolf howled, its sorrowful wail barely audible against the blizzard-like winds pounding at my back. Despite all I forged on.
Ok. Maybe it was a reasonably nice day with some light snow. The thunder may have been a car and the wolf probably a dog barking but we did park far away and my wife was pushing me.
Once inside I was pleasantly surprised. Libraries have changed. There were books, CD's, movies, magazines, and even a Llama. It was bright and warm, clean, and most of all, interesting. I left my wife and daughter watching the Llama while I wandered the aisles.
Twice I was approached and asked if there was anything I needed help finding. Either they're a really helpful bunch of people there or I looked as if I was casing the joint for the next big book heist. It was reassuring to know that if I was looking for something they would help me find it.
The llama show was great. Our daughter had a great time and I discovered that the local library is actually quite fun. They have a variety of events and attractions and, well, it was a nice thing to do as a family.
I'll look for new events in the future and suggest it to the family.
Ok. My wife will look for new events and they'll drag me along but I'll go.
Some things never change.