http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/29/101093.aspx(By Bob Dotson, NBC News National Correspondent)I'm heading out to Oklahoma this week.  Going home.  No.  I wasn't born there.  I grew up in St. Louis.  But I did my first reporting in the Sooner state, the story that got me myen-USCommunityServer 2.0 (Build: 60608.1)http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/29/101093.aspx#106109Thu, 29 Mar 2007 21:31:48 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:106109Fred Shook, Denver, ColoradoBob, I love your blogs. They bring balance and insight to my life, just as your stories have done for thirty years. I'm glad television found you. I'm glad you found television. The world has enough lawyers. Fred Shook, Denver, Colorado Love, Uncle Ferdly http://allday.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/03/29/101093.aspx#192175Tue, 15 May 2007 23:18:26 GMT8a5d2dbc-a0e4-4c7a-979f-3188051f228e:192175Sharon Dodds Peoria ILHello Mr. Dotson, I don't have a story such as the one about Paul Sykes, but I do have a story about giving and the gift of giving is returned. I am talking about me. Today I was watching the news and I thought the news is sad and I thought how can I share something that makes one smile. I found my way here. Today I received an award. It is called the Barack Obama Literacy Award. It appears that Barack assigned the Illinois Reading Council (IRC) the task to find a worthy recepient for a $1000 classroom library. Mr. Obama donated the proceeds from his childrens' book. My understanding is that many applied for the award and I was selected by an appointed committee. I am honored and thrilled. Today I received 157 books and my students acted like it was Christmas. I have always had a library in my classroom and my students may borrow my books at any time and for any length of time (sometimes forever :) ). When I was observed and interviewed by a Professor he expressed that my lack of making students accountable for my books was a committee concern. I told the Professor that I will not change, and 2 weeks later I was informed that I won the award. Once the local TV stations were gone and the local news paper reporters were out of sight my students huddled around the baskets of books asking if they could read this one and that one. I sat at my desk smiling and feeling full of contentment. I have to specially thank Mr. Obama for his generosity. Do you believe in "Pay it forward"? That's my story. I just felt compelled to share a nice story about giving. Sincerely Sharon Dodds