WinterABC2022 Stories of home: Gogo’s gift

I did not wake up being an avid reader or someone who enjoys writing stories. This was something that was instilled in me by my grandmother. My mother had the responsibility to nurture the gift. She used stories to help me grasp different concepts because I wasn’t an intelligent child. Storytelling has helped me see the world differently.

I grew up in a home full of books, be it magazines, school text books, books or novels. My mother would dedicate time to read and when I was younger I would flip through the pages. But I always longed for the day I would be able to read.

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When I was in first grade I struggled to read, and my mother’s friend decided that I should go for extra lessons after school. A simple word as Baba (father) I would read as “Baba”. I am grateful to my family and my after school teacher who didn’t give up on me. Maybe I would never experience the joy of reading.

With time I was able to read and I would read out loud so that everyone could hear me. My mother would ask me to read the newspaper for her and I later learnt how to read big words. Whenever I visited my grandparents Gogo would ask me to read the Bible for her and my grandfather would ask me to retell the story.

Through reading and writing, I was able to express myself. I incorporate a story in every situation and it was easy for me to grasp a concept. Gogo’s stories instilled a desire in me to want to read more and I grew to have a wild imagination.

I am grateful that Gogo gave me a gift that does not rust or rot. It is a gift I can use and hold onto as long as I live