My struggles started in seventh grade when I began passing out. I had many medical check-ups and finally found one that helped. My average blood pressure was about 80/60 on a good day. To this day, I continue to battle this problem.

Then, two years ago, I was diagnosed (诊断) with fibromyalgia, a muscle disease that is not really helped by medication. It’s like having a pulled muscle when the disease attacks. It can last as long as three months. I was bedridden for a month. Cold weather, rain, or physical or emotional stress can cause the pain,

It’s hard enough to be a healthy teenager and go through the typical changes with friends, family, school, etc. Add to that missing two to three months of school a year, and it can make things very difficult. The hardest part was on the outside I looked normal like everyone else; however, on the inside, I was in horrible pain. Some classmates had passed their comments on me thinking that since my physical appearance was fine, I must be OK. The judgment hurt me more than anyone will ever know.

I battled with depression (抑郁) as well, because I felt like an outsider. I longed to be normal and healthy. I even developed an eating disorder. In the beginning, I had lost a lot of weight. For the first time, I felt like I was attractive because I was skinny. I was receiving more attention than ever. I would still feel depressed, though, because of all that was going on in my life. I would eat a lot hoping the stress would go away. But then I would throw up the food so I would still look good. Luckily, I overcame these problems with the help of my family and a wonderful job.

My mother stuck by me and encouraged me in all my time of need.

I found a purpose knowing I had something to give to these elderly people.

I started reading to myself, as well as out loud to Mother and other family members, between the ages of three and four. By the time I turned five, I was reading “chapter books,” like the Bobbsey Twins. I read whenever books came my way, usually by my mother taking me to the town’s small but book-packed library on Saturdays. Along my journey as a reader, there were other helping hands that develop my love for books-Mrs. Eleanor Harrison, my first-grade teacher.

When I started first grade, making friends became a challenge for me. My rich vocabulary made me easy to be labeled as a bookworm (书呆子), causing other children to shy away from playing with me. My mother explained that there would be “stuff” I already knew while others didn’t. Reading was one such skill — I could read while none of my classmates were able to. Therefore, when we moved to a new city, and I found myself in a new school, I decided to pretend that I didn’t know many words either, just to fit in.

On the first day of school, my mother walked me there and introduced herself to Mrs. Harrison, my new teacher. After that, I walked to school and back home by myself. However, around a month later, something significant happened. One afternoon, when I came home from school, my mother told me that my teacher, Mrs. Harrison, had called and wanted to have a meeting with her. I immediately asked if I was in trouble since I had only heard of teachers calling parents when there was all issue.

“She didn’t say so,” responded Mother, as thoughts raced through my mind, “She said she wanted to talk to me about you.” Mother pulled me to her — one of her healing hugs. I trusted my mother. I knew she loved me. I blurted out, “So, you think this will have a ‘happily ever after’ ending?” Mother kissed me on the top of my head, just as she often did, and smiled saying, “Yes. I’m sure it will be alright.”

The day of the meeting came.

“I like that idea!” Firmly, I nodded a yes.

Reading Can Feed Our Mind

Reading is very important to us all. Just as we eat when we are hungry, we feed our mind by reading.