Molly O’Brien
Personal
Narrative Essay
The subtle
chewing of the peanut butter and strawberry jelly sandwich counteracts with the
obnoxious Lay's potato chips being crunched. I tuck a loose hair behind my
small ears, and adjust my collared shirt. My skirt, tan of course, since
Vinland has a strict dress code, fits perfectly over my cream knit tights. All
bought from Gap Kids of course. Inside, sprawled on my lap lay a book, probably
already half read, though only checked out the day prior. In the distance,
blurs of hunter greens, navies, and more khakis and creams are spotted in the
distance. The short legs run across from the bark to the forest and from
the monkey bars to the basketball court. Let’s be real, most of the times I
was one of those kids running from the jungle gym to the hopscotch game. But,
as soon as I arrived home, a book was in my hands.
As I tumbled
up the stairs my eyes would first be directed towards the kitchen, where some
treat would lie. After munching on a crisp Fuji apple, and gulping down Mott’s
apple juice, I hightailed it to my bedroom, plopped on the bed, and opened
another Nancy Drew mystery book. Several hours later I would hear my mom call
out “Molly dinner is ready!” and id reply with “Okay two more seconds!” That
was my most common line.
About 7
years ago was when my passion for reading really blossomed. I was in about
fifth grade, and adored reading the Nancy Drew novels. They were full of
mystery, anticipation, and fantasy I loved to entwine myself in. Other than
the books required to read for school, all I can vividly remember are
Nancy Drew novels. I fell in love with the characters and each individual plot
each book entailed.
Being a 10
year old, fantasy was what I lived for. Of course some of the scenarios in the
series could honestly happen in real life; but many were fictional. But, as I
grew older I started to lose touch with my passion for reading. The older you
get, the busier you get. And reading didn’t become a priority like it used to
be. I remember even in elementary and early middle school having to sometimes
turn to a new book series until they got in a new Nancy Drew book that I hadn’t
read yet.
Before my
interest for reading blossomed, at the tender age of seven I wrote my first
novel. The book was about a group of girls that journeyed to Paris for a
modeling opportunity. I was fascinated with French culture and the fashion
industry, so the book was a perfect fit. After writing that book, my drive to
write became stronger and I started endless amounts of stories. None of them I actually
ended up finishing, but I miss the feeling I got when words flowed from my
brain through my body to my hand, and eventually onto the paper through my
pencil. Clogging my time with stories and words was one of the best ways I could
spend my time as a seven year old. It helped me expand my knowledge, and let my
ideas flow freely into Microsoft word or my beat up spiral bound notebook.
Fast
forwarding to 2015, I can with all honesty admit that I haven’t read a book or
written a story for my own joy, since sixth grade. The truth is this is the
reality for many people, even people years and years older than me. It’s
interesting, because hundreds of years ago reading was such a routinely
activity. When you don’t read merely because you don’t take the time to, you
really are taking your ability to read for granted. It’s also sad, because
there are so many that would be honored to be given the gift to read, or choose
a story of their liking and be able to comprehend it and appreciate it; the
same goes for writing.
Reading and
writing basically fit into the same category of essential skills we need in
every aspect of our lives. They are taught to us as soon as we begin school,
and maybe even sooner. Reading and writing are the fundamental tools to knowledge
in life. Although most can admit this, most won’t use this to the best of their
ability. I’ve had the pleasure of being gifted to a wide variety of any book I want,
and have the freedom to write whatever I please. But, I take it for granted.
The ironic thing is that although we complain when we have to read a novel for
class or write a paper, we are doing it every second of every day. We read our
emails at work, we read receipts, and we read the latest article on the
Kardashians. We also write text messages, and notes to our husbands (ex. “There’s
casserole in the fridge, just heat at 400 degrees, see you at 8, don’t forget
Abby’s soccer game!”), and we write in search bars when looking for new recipes
on FoodNetwork.com. We do all this without thought, so why is it that it has
become such a chore for people in school? The answer is quite simple: lack of
appreciation. Ask any child that hasn’t been gifted an education what they
would appreciate in life. 99/100 times they just want to know how to read a
story and write sentences.
Through the
two stories I have shared about reading and writing, it has been learned and
understood that as a child I had an appreciation for reading and writing
stories, and that throughout the years my love for both have faded. I have
forgotten how blessed me and so many other people are to have been raised with
a book in one hand and pencil and paper in the other. Reading will take you to
so many lands, and writing will allow you to create them all. Instead of seeing writing and reading as a
chore, open your eyes to the possibilities that could stem from each. If you
can’t appreciate the subject of the novel, pay attention to the words and the storyline.
Capture the sensory words and listen to the voice of the author. When writing
from a prompt, never just focus on the single words you’re being asked to write
about. Expand on what is being asked, and entangle yourself in the prompt,
making it your own. Losing touch with two if the greatest gifts in life, that
have made the world become what it is, should never be taken for granted.
Reading and writing have helped us communicate, without communication 7 billion
stories could never be told.
“A reader
lives a thousand lives before he dies. The man who never reads lives only one.”
-George RR Martin
“Writing is
a calling, not a choice.” –Isabel Allende
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