Ever since I was little, the holiday season has always brought me an eminent source of joy, particularly in the chilly December nights leading up to Christmas. As the glimmering snow falls on the trees, and festive lights twinkle in the night, many look forward to a special tradition of baking Christmas cookies, decorating, or watching holiday movies. However, for me, this special tradition has always been reading Christmas stories with my mom. Some of my earliest and fondest memories began during my childhood, as I peered down at the cheerful illustrations, and listened intently to my mom’s soothing voice as she read aloud to me. My eyes carefully scanned the page, as I developed an innate love for reading, and a special bond with my mom which still continues and evolves to this day.

Thinking back to my childhood, I can still remember the feeling of being completely content and peaceful, laying in my mom’s bedroom, surrounded by the snow and beautiful winter scenery outside. As the temperatures plummeted amid nightfall, I felt warm and safe under the covers, and in the presence of my mom. Together, we spent hours and hours reading each addition of our favorite book series “Snowmen at Christmas,” and bonding over our shared love of reading. After finishing the book countless times, we would often delve into meaningful conversation, fueled by my vivid imagination and childlike wonder. What started out as a simple thought from my six year old mind, or an innocent question about the magic of Christmas, easily turned into a riveting story of my mom’s childhood, her discovery of her passion for reading, and even how it helped shape her into the woman she is today. Finally, while I wished these nights of pure joy and happiness could last forever, the clock striking ten was my signal that it was time to venture back into my room for bedtime. I would anxiously await the next day full of festivities, most importantly nightfall, when we would do it all over again.

To continue, not only did my mom read aloud to me, she also instilled in me the importance of giving it a try for myself, and encouraged me to discover my own individual meaning and significance in regards to reading. Throughout my reading journey, I have developed an appreciation for language in general, and for writing, specifically in times I desire to express myself, or decompress from a stressful time. I have used what I have learned in my pursuit of becoming a better reader to channel my feelings and thoughts cohesively into my writing. Through experience, I have found that journaling is a way to release negative stress, and unload the challenging experiences I have faced, without straying from my comfort zone, or having to share these thoughts out loud. 

As I glance down, and watch the smooth tip of my brightly colored pen glide across the paper, I feel a sense of calm in the air, and can feel the tension releasing from my body and mind. Each time I feel this way, I remind myself it is thanks to my early passion for reading that I am able to proficiently express myself through my writing. To say the least, my love of both reading and writing have helped me immensely in overcoming emotional hardships, and have allowed me to process my feelings in a comfortable and safe place, both in the past and the present.

Now, as a young adult I look forward to building a career off of my passion for literacy, as I move forward into the college process, and to life beyond. I see myself in a career where writing is involved each and every day, and would love to edit literary works, similar to the ones I do now as a tutor in this wonderful subject. In a similar light, it has been my goal to study English for a while now, not only for myself, but to one day encourage others to love reading and writing in the same way I have, since the days when my mom introduced me to it. Despite all the years that have passed, my mom and I still share our limitless passion that sparked from our special nights in the frosty winters, years ago. Today, as my eyes scan the paper of a document I carefully inspect with my mom, I eagerly await my days of becoming an editor, and perfecting my craft just as she did. It is during these special moments that I remember back to my childhood, and cherish the wonderful days that started it all.