For me, life was different. I had a mom who didn't really read bedtime stories. She'd read a few books here and there, but they were always the same ones. It wasn't until years later that I finally understood why my mom didn't really read to me. She came from a much worse life. Her mom was a single mom and never made enough money to support the family. It lead to my mom dropping out of school in eighth grade. My mom was just embarrassed that she'd mess up while reading in front of us.
As the years passed, I became a stronger reader. Reading, then English, quickly became my favorite subjects. I'll always remember watching my mom read. It took her a long time to finish a book, but she always kept at it. I respect her for that, and it drove me to read more and more.
Do I wish that my mom would have read more with me? Yes. Would I trade my childhood away for one with a mother who could have read to me? Absolutely not. I've learned from my mother. Because of her, and her determination, I became a bibliophile. If she could sit there and read the Harry Potter books on a seventh grade education, I knew I could with a college degree.
I know my mom probably wishes that she could have read more with me and my siblings, but now I get to help her with things. I've recommended a few books to her, and even though it takes her a while to read them, she tries. I often stumble into her room before bed to wish her goodnight and see her reading.
To me, reading is definitely important during childhood. Because of my mom, I became a stronger reader. I thirsted for books, and I'll forever be grateful to her for teaching me that I was lucky.
My Favorite Childhood Books:
- A Light in the Attic
- The Polar Express
- Green Eggs and Ham
- Where the Sidewalk Ends
- The Giving Tree
- A Little Princess
