- One -
A vine. It may not have much significance to you or anyone else, but to me, this holds the secret to my existence. This particular vine of which I speak is my route to existence. It is everything that I hold to be true. It has value, you may not be able to see the value but it is the thing that lead me to find a true passion in the world; reading and learning. It has longevity, you may not be able to see it but it has lasted me since I have been able to walk, roughly 36 years. It is a compass, a guidance counselor for me when I am lost in the chaotic world of which we live in. It reminds me that if I ever want to escape this world all I have to do is pick up a book and travel to a different world.
-TWO-
My mother gave birth to me, Shiloh Nitza, on May 19, 1976. Things were good then; my father's job was prosperous and my mother, Lita,and my father, Aaron, lived harmoniously together. We were a happy family of three. One day, when I was barely six months old Papa had slammed the door on his way into the house. I started to uncontrollably cry. Mama glared at Papa and then scooped me into her arms. She tried to coo me to sleep but, it was of no use, I kept crying. Mama sat down and picked up a little picture book. She started to read, I was soon mesmerized by the words that flowed effortlessly out of her mouth, and so I stopped crying. Mama kept reading until my little eyelids fluttered shut. She kissed my forehead and then placed in my crib in her and Papa's bedroom.
Days and weeks passed by, and life continued on. It was about 8:30 in the morning and Papa and I were playing together. All you could hear in the house was the robust laughter of Papa and the gurgling sound of me. Soon, Mama walked up and said, "Shiloh, it's time for Papa to go to work. Say goodbye, now." I was only about 7 months old so I didn't really know what Mama was saying but, she was gesturing for Papa to go to the door. I started bawling, Papa kissed me on my cheek and then turned me over to Mama. She kept saying, "Shiloh, he is going to be back tonight. Don't worry sweetie. Don't worry." That didn't stop the tears from coming from my eyes and the wail from my mouth. So, she sat down with me cocooned in her arm and picked up another little picture book. She started to read and soon I was mesmerized by the words that sounded like sweet music coming from a music box. Mama kept reading and when my eyes finally closed and my breathing slowed only then did Mama stop reading. She laid me down in my crib, tiptoed out of the room, and shut the door.
The very next day after Papa left again Mama sat down on the couch with me to read the newspaper. I was in the crook of her arm while she had the newspaper in the other hand. I had a great view of the little coffee table and I saw one of my books on it. I started wildly pointing at the book and gurgling as I couldn't talk yet. Mama looked at me and started cooing, "What?What?" Mama looked at me and my hand quizzically and said, "The book? You want to read it?" I started to gurgle again so, she took that as a yes. She picked up the book and she started to read. Those words enraptured me although I didn't understand them. To this day I wonder a child so small find the words of One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish By: Dr. Seuss so soothing. But I guess say it and it must be so.
