6/10/2025. #44

They were a window into fun and adventure. My parents were deeply devoted to participating in a fundamentalist church. My youth was spent studying the Bible and being secluded from others. Which actually gave me an advantage in school, being able to interpret Biblical passages as a child gave me extensive critical thinking skills and I excelled in reading/writing.

It was difficult being a heavily religious child in school. I faced additional isolation, simply from being weird (emotionally mature) and not allowed/able to socialize like the others. I didn't belong - in school or at church. Instead I snuck off to public libraries. Taught myself, really. My parents were young and worked all the time. I was expected to take care of myself. I did.

I had an insatiable level of curiosity, even as a child. Books? A temporary escape, a grief lifeline, a future. So many things.

It's actually still hard to talk about this part of my life. Growing up between split identity cultures greatly influenced my life experience. And while it was nice to have books, would have been better to have friends. I was a shy lonely child. Different. It hurt.

Ah, I grew into myself though. It's given me an incredible lifestyle, where I can help a wide range of people and have fun doing so.