FollowCass walked through the door today, looking as calm and collected as any normal school day. Then she casually said, “I won something in April this year and I only found out today,” and pulled out a trophy from her bag. My heart stopped for a moment. She told me — in the most nonchalant, effortless way — that she had won second runner-up in her high school’s English Essay Writing Competition for seniors, a competition held back in April this year. And today, months later, she only just found out she was one of the winners!
I cannot describe how proud I am of her.
When I think back to her early years, my heart warms even more. Cass was not a natural reader at the beginning. I remember her struggling to read her preschool books at 5 years old. Her teacher told her to eat more eggs to improve her memory and she told me back home. I felt slightly hurt and I knew I had to do something to help her improve her reading and memory. Those little picture books that most kindergarteners breeze through — she took longer, and she often needed more guidance. But something magical happened when she turned 7. She picked up reading on her own terms after I introduced the Geronimo Stilton series to her, and it was like a spark had been lit inside her.
From that moment onwards, she transformed into a voracious reader.
She carried books everywhere she went — in the car, the school van, to restaurants, on holidays, to her grandparents’ house, and to the toilet. Books became her comfort, her joy, her world. A relative once looked at her and said she looked like a “mini lawyer.” It was true — she always had that serious, studious, determined look when she was reading. She always had a thick book in her hand.
Even now, she still loves physical books. She prefers the feeling of paper between her fingers, the smell of a new novel, and the quiet ritual of flipping pages. But this year has been tough on her — SPM revision, constant practice for figure skating, and the pressure that comes with being 17. Naturally, she hasn’t had as much time to read as before. Still, I hope (and I believe) that her love for reading will stay with her forever.
Because reading changes people.
Reading builds vocabulary, deepens understanding, strengthens writing skills, and opens the mind.
Reading lets you travel without moving, learn without being taught, grow without even realizing it.
I’m grateful that Cass discovered this love early in life, and even more grateful that it continues to shape her, guide her, and now, win her awards.
Keep going, my girl. Your journey with books is only beginning.
And to you reading this — do you still read physical books?
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