Fruits of reading

(Left to right) Jaalah, Chelsea, Lyra

Since I was a baby my mother, Myra Gaculais-Del Rosario read books to me while breast feeding. She grew with an American Missionary which she calls Lola Pennoyer. Lola shared her love for God, love for baking and especially love for books. My mom learned how to speak English before Tagalog, despite the fact that she’s a Filipino. Years after she became a writer, married Patricio Del Rosario and they had three daughters Lyra, Jaalah and Chelsea.

When I was able to sleep on a bed with my sisters Mom still continues on reading books to us or sometimes we request stories of her childhood. When she’s not around my sisters take turns on reading tales until I sleep.

Later on I entered Pre-school where I learned to count, identify shapes and animals, learned ABC, write my name and read a bit. Mom still read to me at this stage.

I entered elementary at the age of 7. Here I listened to more stories, usually bible stories since I have Sunday Schools. My love for books started as I move to higher levels. I started reading bible stories from our big book. Then Goldilocks and the Three Bears and other fairy tales followed. Reading books by Dr. Seuss such as Hop on Pop, Foot Book, The Cat in the Hat, etc. was fun too. Mom always praises Dr. Seuss for his rhymes and creative way of writing. That New Baby, The Big Jump, and The 12 Days of Christmas (which was my favorite) are other books I was fond of during my primary years.

I always saw Mom and my sisters reading different kinds of books and magazines. I copy what they do since children like to imitate adults. I tried to read the books they’re reading but it’s too heavy for me. So I began with the thin books.

When I entered Intermediate level I started to read Nancy Drew Notebooks by Carolyn Keene. These are stories of her childhood as an amateur detective. We borrowed those books from a family friend, Tita Dina, and after being addicted we bought some. Later on the books of Geronimo Stilton became popular and I turned out to be a fan. I’m also a follower of Junie B. Jones and Horrible Harry.

As time passed my interest brought me on reading Nancy Drew books further. She’s a teenager on these books and a very good sleuth.

Laura Ingalls Wilder books

A day came when my sister,  Jaalah found an old book titled Little House in the Big Woods.  She really liked it for she learned many stuffs on pioneer life in the West. She collected all the books of Laura Ingalls Wilder. I read those too and it’s really interesting.

When I graduated from Elementary and entered High School I still continue on reading those series. Then I started reading books by C.S. Lewis and Lilian Jackson Braun. Mrs. Braun wrote the series of The Cat Who. It’s about an extraordinary Siamese cat named Koko and his owner James Qwilleran. Together they solve murders and mysteries.

Our house is full of books. There are books in the living room, dining room, bedroom, kitchen and even in the comfort room. When my friends visit our house they were surprised and amazed afterwards they laugh. Most of the books in our house were bought from book sales because it’s less expensive and some are still in good condition. They may look old but what we need is the content and not its appearance.  We bought three books of Harry Potter for just about 300 each.

The Lost Files of Nancy Drew

Recently my sister Jaalah surprised Mom, Ate Lyra and me by buying The Lost Files of Nancy Drew in a book sale. It’s a big book full of information about some of her stories. But what really make it special are the things you can do.

What I am today I owe it all to the books I read, to my Mom who amazed us using the wonders of books, to Lola Pennoyer who taught Mom and especially to God who gave us everything.

(from left to right) Soya, Chelsea, RR, Kiamy

I pass my love for books with a three year old girl named Soya. We invite her to stay during vacations in our house to play, bake and read. She’s very smart and has a long attention span. I read books to her like what Mom did to us. I bought a couple of books for her and she was so proud of it. Her parents asked me to be her tutor this vacation in preparation for school. That gives me a summer job, more time to bond with her and most especially train her just as how Mom did.

Reading had helped me a lot especially on expressing myself. Facts that are not taught in school I have learned it all from books. I gained knowledge on new word that I use in writing and speaking.

A thought hit my mind while writing this autobiography. I haven’t finished reading the bible despite the fact that it is full of wonderful stories and lessons. Have you finished it?