My mom. She meant well. I am sure because today I am still enjoying the benefit of the advice she gave that cold morning. Today, I live an independent life because of that single advice she was led to give me. If I wanted to credit someone for all of the positive things that have happened to me, I would be my mom.
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It was one of those regular early mornings in my life that I thought would follow the same routine. Waking up, grabbing whatever tasks were available, finishing up, and sitting still in the shop waiting for customers to come and patronize us. Mum had a small convenient store and I loved being there because I was less bored as a result of the flow of customers. And I always had the chance to interact with different people of different ages and skin colors. It was a delightful place to be.
It was one of those routine-checked days that my mum came closer than usual. Fear gripped me. I was worried she had caught onto the fact that I was beginning to talk about boys with my girlfriends. My fears were quickly washed off when she started congratulating me on finishing up with my Primary School and for gaining admission to a higher level of education. A level I will be exposed to harder subjects and newer people from different families and walks of life.
“My child, I am going to tell you something that someone else might not tell you’, she said once she was done with the congratulatory messages.
“I am listening, Mum”, I answered while staring into her eyes and wondering what was going on in her mind.
“You have seen that you are moving to a higher level and Secondary School is a different ball game”, she said while giving a kind and soothing smile
“It will be of great benefit to you if you don’t join bad companies”, she continued this time with a serious look on her face.
I smiled because I knew the girl she brought up had nothing to do with bad company. I was the one who kicked against it with my circle so Mum clearly had nothing to worry about.
“There is one thing you must take seriously, my child”, She said when I smiled at her last statement
“You have to take your studies seriously and read hard”, she paused after that part to make sure I have digested it
“If you read your book, you will grow up to be someone who can take control of her life”, she said when she sensed that I was getting confused
At that point, I think I understood because Mum went on to explain that if I read and took my studies seriously I will be able to detect the path I want to follow. And I will be able to accomplish a lot more than I could ever imagine.
It’s been 12 years after that eventful day, and looking back, I realized that Mum was right. I did take her advice and read like a hungry lion, not only my school books but anything I could lay my hands on. I was so obsessed with reading that my friend kept making fun of me. One of them made a joke once that I could see a paper on the road and bend over to pick it up and read. It was funny but true.
I did not want to disappoint Mum and I wanted that life that she told me I could have if I stuck to my books.
I am getting that life even though not entirely all of it but I am not stopping. Every book I have opened has led me this far, and I could not have wished for a piece of better advice from Mum on that day. This advice; stuck in my brain forever. I can still imagine how chilly and calm that day was and how having fewer customers that morning gave Mum the chance to share this with me. This changed the course of my life.
The one childhood experience that had a positive impact on me had been my mum’s advice about books. There are so many secrets hidden in them and every new volume I open brings me closer to discovering the secrets about how the world works. The authors are my friends and I could connect with each one on a personal level than anything else.