Second Annual "Cody's Release" planned for April 6, 2005
In releasing books to honor my Dad, BCers create a worldwide celebration.
by fsr44March 20, 2005
We all have someone to thank for our love of reading. For me, it was my Dad, Louis V. Wims ("Cody" to his friends) who showed me the world of books. Before I was old enough to read, I'd sit next to him with a book in front of me, turning the pages whenever
he did. My father had to leave school during the Depression to go to work to help support his family, but his lifelong learning never ended. He was the most voracious reader, and the smartest man I ever knew. He shared his love, his wisdom, his compassion
and his books in equal measure. In short, he was everything you could want in a father or a friend. He would have loved BookCrossing, had he lived to see it.
Dad passed away on April 6, 1998. I miss him most when April comes around, and I find myself dreading the 6th. Last year, I had an idea about doing something positive on Dad's anniversary, something to celebrate his life. What better than a book release? As a relative newcomer to BC, I posted a note on ChitChat about it, thinking that perhaps a few of my newfound friends might join me.
In my wildest dreams I never imagined that over 100 BCers in 33 states and 8 countries would join "Cody's Release". The response in the days leading up to the event amazed me. My forum friends wanted to know what Dad liked to read, so they could choose the perfect book to release. When my sister, Truthteller, and I posted Dad's photo on our bookshelf, some BCers copied the picture into journal entries or attached a copy to the book they were releasing. Others wrote special dedications in their books, noting them as "Cody's Release".
I was stunned. What could it be that would motivate strangers in distant cities and towns to honor my Dad? He wasn't famous, he didn't create anything noteworthy, he'd never even visited some of the countries where people were busily writing his name in books. He was a World War II veteran, and was a POW for a time. He was married 55 years and raised 5 children. A wonderful life, to be sure, but not that different from so many others. What could account for this outpouring of compassion?
The only answer that makes sense to me is this: "The BookCrossing Spirit". There is something special about the people I've met here. It's as if there is a deep well of generosity just waiting to be tapped. The merest hint that a member needs a hand, and an outpouring of caring bursts forth. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. This community was founded on the idea of releasing books, and what is a release if not a generous act? I like to think of every traveling book as a gift, sent from the hands of a BCer to destinations known and unknown. Where else do people give so freely to the world?
Thanks to The BookCrossing Spirit which buoyed me through the day, April 6th, formerly the saddest day on my calendar, became positively joyful. I put on Dad's blue cardigan, my leather flight jacket with Glenn Miller's AAF Band on the back and headed out to make my releases, knowing that friends around the world were doing the same. I made my last stop at the War Memorial in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and laid my copy of The Greatest Generation Speaks at the base of the monument bearing Dad's name. I then hurried home to read about the other releases on the forum. Each release meant a lot to me, but some were particularly memorable:
Silentmiaouw's release of Fair Stood the Wind for France on a boat between Switzerland and France.
Phantomreader42, who, after hearing about my father's sense of humor and love of Shakespeare, released Much Ado About Nothing next to a Janet Jackson CD.
Skeeterbess' release of American Greats at the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Her subsequent catch may have traveled the farthest; the book was journaled in London.
That day, the forum threads about Cody's Release were like a get-together with your closest friends. BCers wrote of releasing not only in honor of Cody, but of their own fathers, loved ones and veterans. And as friends do, we introduced new friends into the community. Releases were caught, leading to many new members. BountifulPots and Librarylion had their first catches that day. Members of my family who had never before visited BC stopped by the forum to watch as releases and catches were posted from the far corners of the world.
This year, I'm eagerly awaiting April 6th and the Second Annual Cody's Release. 60 BCers have already joined the release (as of this writing), and SpedBug designed a lovely label featuring my Dad's photo. Yvi-1 is hosting the label on her website, http://www.crustytapioca.com/books/, where it is available for download to all BCers. I hope that any BCer who is interested will join us. Thanks to the Spirit of my BC friends, I know April 6th will be a beautiful day.
Wisdom, compassion, love and books . . . gifts my father gave me, and gifts BookCrossers release in abundance.
Pictured: Dad and a young Jenna. Fsr44 said, "I have an 8x10 of this shot
framed in my living room and it's still my favorite picture with Dad. He worked for Texas Instruments, and once a year they had a family outing at a local amusement park and called it "Kiddies' Day". I love that Dad's idea of proper Kiddies' Day attire called for shirt, tie and dress slacks!"
Dad passed away on April 6, 1998. I miss him most when April comes around, and I find myself dreading the 6th. Last year, I had an idea about doing something positive on Dad's anniversary, something to celebrate his life. What better than a book release? As a relative newcomer to BC, I posted a note on ChitChat about it, thinking that perhaps a few of my newfound friends might join me.
In my wildest dreams I never imagined that over 100 BCers in 33 states and 8 countries would join "Cody's Release". The response in the days leading up to the event amazed me. My forum friends wanted to know what Dad liked to read, so they could choose the perfect book to release. When my sister, Truthteller, and I posted Dad's photo on our bookshelf, some BCers copied the picture into journal entries or attached a copy to the book they were releasing. Others wrote special dedications in their books, noting them as "Cody's Release".
I was stunned. What could it be that would motivate strangers in distant cities and towns to honor my Dad? He wasn't famous, he didn't create anything noteworthy, he'd never even visited some of the countries where people were busily writing his name in books. He was a World War II veteran, and was a POW for a time. He was married 55 years and raised 5 children. A wonderful life, to be sure, but not that different from so many others. What could account for this outpouring of compassion?
The only answer that makes sense to me is this: "The BookCrossing Spirit". There is something special about the people I've met here. It's as if there is a deep well of generosity just waiting to be tapped. The merest hint that a member needs a hand, and an outpouring of caring bursts forth. I guess I shouldn't have been surprised. This community was founded on the idea of releasing books, and what is a release if not a generous act? I like to think of every traveling book as a gift, sent from the hands of a BCer to destinations known and unknown. Where else do people give so freely to the world?
Thanks to The BookCrossing Spirit which buoyed me through the day, April 6th, formerly the saddest day on my calendar, became positively joyful. I put on Dad's blue cardigan, my leather flight jacket with Glenn Miller's AAF Band on the back and headed out to make my releases, knowing that friends around the world were doing the same. I made my last stop at the War Memorial in Attleboro, Massachusetts, and laid my copy of The Greatest Generation Speaks at the base of the monument bearing Dad's name. I then hurried home to read about the other releases on the forum. Each release meant a lot to me, but some were particularly memorable:
Silentmiaouw's release of Fair Stood the Wind for France on a boat between Switzerland and France.
Phantomreader42, who, after hearing about my father's sense of humor and love of Shakespeare, released Much Ado About Nothing next to a Janet Jackson CD.
Skeeterbess' release of American Greats at the Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor. Her subsequent catch may have traveled the farthest; the book was journaled in London.
That day, the forum threads about Cody's Release were like a get-together with your closest friends. BCers wrote of releasing not only in honor of Cody, but of their own fathers, loved ones and veterans. And as friends do, we introduced new friends into the community. Releases were caught, leading to many new members. BountifulPots and Librarylion had their first catches that day. Members of my family who had never before visited BC stopped by the forum to watch as releases and catches were posted from the far corners of the world.
This year, I'm eagerly awaiting April 6th and the Second Annual Cody's Release. 60 BCers have already joined the release (as of this writing), and SpedBug designed a lovely label featuring my Dad's photo. Yvi-1 is hosting the label on her website, http://www.crustytapioca.com/books/, where it is available for download to all BCers. I hope that any BCer who is interested will join us. Thanks to the Spirit of my BC friends, I know April 6th will be a beautiful day.
Wisdom, compassion, love and books . . . gifts my father gave me, and gifts BookCrossers release in abundance.
Pictured: Dad and a young Jenna. Fsr44 said, "I have an 8x10 of this shot
framed in my living room and it's still my favorite picture with Dad. He worked for Texas Instruments, and once a year they had a family outing at a local amusement park and called it "Kiddies' Day". I love that Dad's idea of proper Kiddies' Day attire called for shirt, tie and dress slacks!"
