Witchcraft and Wizardry: Changing lives since 1997

© All Rights Reserved by Angela Matteson

To say that I grew up with Harry Potter would be nothing short of an understatement. I fell into it and did not know a world without the Boy Who Lived. My older brother, who was perhaps the reason why I fell in love with books, was a very enthusiastic reader and a 'Potterhead'. It was natural for me to pick up a dusty old copy of the Philosopher's Stone. But little did I know that this book that I took for a quick read at the age of ten, would change my life and impact me in ways that I didn't comprehend.

When I was 10, Harry Potter was a tale of magic and a world so wonderful that I yearned to run away. How I hoped that Harry would come flying to my window and take me to Hogwarts mirroring the way Peter Pan took Wendy. (It was about the same time that the story of Peter Pan came my way). There was nothing I wanted to do more than whip out a wand and somehow use 'Wingardium Leviosa' to help Harry because that is the only spell I knew at age 10!

At 13, I re-read the series. Suddenly it was no longer just about magic. It was about friendship, loyalty and courage. I was proud to say that I had found friends who would stick by my side with the same loyalty that Hermione and Ron showed Harry. I still longed for magic to be real and was devastated that the wizarding world was nothing but a figment of a very creative person's imagination that lived on in the minds of readers. I also realized that the books were more than just another series. The characters that I read about had a more intense impact on me than the people I was around. Slowly, I found myself becoming not just a Potterhead, but also a person who valued the same values that the books showcased.

I have re-read the series numerous times as the years passed by. Now, I am no longer in school and the child in me knows that awaiting an owl who will change my life is a dream more far fetched than me travelling to Jupiter (maybe not, who knows!).

That being said, and I say this on behalf of all those who found refuge in the Potter books and those who grew up in the lessons tucked deep within the thin sheets of paper that told us a simple story, Harry Potter has changed lives.

I picked up the first book when I was 10 and if it weren't for the way Harry Potter inspired me and for the lessons that everyone taught Harry I may not be the person I am today. In fact, I may not be here writing today, if it weren't for the books. It was J.K. Rowlling who showed me the impact that words make. Maybe I don't have to write an epic tale of magic and mystery, but words that a reader can find a friend in, that's all that really matters.

Image procured from Pintrest. No rights reserved.

Do you have a favorite book? Why is it your favorite book? How did you stumble upon it? Comment down below with your answers.

[Harry Potter by JKR and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini are my favorite books.]

That's all for now

Lots of Love,

The Invisible Wordsmith