Me and My Life, the whole book I wrote at ten

In fifth grade, Mrs. Rudy’s class at Wentzville West had us each write and illustrate a whole book about ourselves. I still have mine, all five chapters of it, and reading it back is one of the strangest and best things I have found in a box. So here it is, more or less exactly as ten-year-old me wrote it, spelling and all.

The cover is a self-portrait of me with three thought bubbles: a book, a bicycle, and a computer. The dedication page reads, simply: “Dedicated to Cheryl Hertzelle, my Mom.”

It opens with a foreword that I think is the most honest thing a kid has ever written:

I am writing this book because my teacher is making me. People that are interested in my life may want to read this book. They will learn about my family, friends, what I like to do and what my pet is. Hello, my name is Todd Hertzelle. This book may help you learn more about me.

Chapter 1: Before Me, then me

My Mom talks about her childhood often. Some things she has told me about those days are: she had the freedom to explore her neighborhood without her mother having to worry. She also loved taking long driving family vacations to California and Florida. She has seen Disneyland, the Grand Canyon, Pikes Peak, the Great Salt Lake, Redwood National Forest, Las Vegas, Hoover Dam, the Florida Everglades and many, many, other sites!

One of her favorite things to do at home was playing with her friend Kathy. They both had good imaginations and played Barbie’s, dress-up in turn-of-the-century clothes and made up a game called block and cars.

My Mom lived in Glascow Village until she was 16. She loved it there. She then moved because of a divorce and didn’t like her new surroundings at all. Luckily, she was strong enough and level headed to make it through a rough time.

My Mom says that life was simpler and more peaceful. She remembers her kindergarten’s heated floor! She also remembers being a picky eater, picker than me! My Mom says her dreams about life were simple, she didn’t even think much about the future. She would dream about riding horses on a farm, rock collecting and spending time with friends. She still likes a simple peaceful life.

Then it goes further back, to my great grandfather:

Some stories about my Great Grandfather (1870 to 1971), Edgar A Coshow. He would tell my Mom and her brothers about what his life was like in the late 1800’s. He would tell them that he was born just after Abe Lincoln was assassinated. His family had no electricity and got around by horse and buggy. One amazing story about my Great Great Grandfather is that when he was 94 years old, he dug a brick patio for my Grandma. He also used to climb trees with his great grandchildren too!

And then to how I got here:

My parents, Marlin and Cheryl, met through their friends. They were so excited to start a family. My brother Chris came first. They knew I was a boy because of an ultrasound test. My Mom says I was a very good content baby. She always says I am a nice caring thoughtful person and she enjoys being with me. My parents say they are impressed with my computer skills and wish me success, happiness and good health.

Taking this family survey has helped me learn about some of my family members. I realize that we have more modern conveniences (like computers) and a more busy life than people did in the past. I’ve also learned my family members are hard workers and I have a long way to go before I’m completely grown up.

Chapter 2: Me… Me… and more me

This chapter opens with a timeline of my life’s great events so far:

• Age 3: Put ice cream all over the wall and myself
• Age 5: Ate a penny
• Age 8: New hobby, “Computers”

Then my school days: preschool at Our Redeemer Lutheran, grades 1 through 3 at Marvin Elementary, grades 4 and 5 at Wentzville West Elementary.

Two special teachers I remember are: Mrs. Hogbin, 1st grade, she liked me and was a good teacher. She gave lots of hugs. The second, Mrs. Kaimann, she was very, very, very nice to all of the class. She let us have two days to do assignments.

I like school but sometimes it seems hard. I like computers and music. The other subjects are ok. I like making friends and being fright-free. If I could go back I’d go back to second grade when my grades started to drop and start over again.

That last line lands a little hard, knowing what I know now. Ten-year-old me had already clocked exactly where the trouble started.

Chapter 3: My Family

I have a Dad, Marlin, from Norwegian and German descent, and a Mom, Cheryl, from German and French descent. I also have one brother named Christopher. We have a black and white cat named Jupiter. We all get along pretty good. Sometimes my brother and I argue, he always seems to win. We are expected to do some chores, but mostly try to get good grades and have good behavior. Kids should have some chores to teach them responsibility.

Since my Mom and Dad have always liked to travel, they like to take us on vacations too! So far, we have just been to the East Coast (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina). There I saw the Atlantic Ocean and visited the Great Smokey Mountains.

I like to travel, but sometimes I feel carsick. Holidays are a fun time. At Christmas we pick out and cut down a tree. I like the feeling of the holiday’s spirit. My Mom makes great oatmeal-raisin cookies. Christmas is a great time to see all your family.

And here is the illustration I drew of our cat:

Chapter 4: My hobby

My favorite hobby right now is working with computers. Most everything I do is with computers, even my friends like computers. When I’m outside I like to ride my bike or take walks in the woods. I did used to enjoy playing the Chello, but my new school doesn’t have instruments in their music program. Another favorite time was when I won 1st place in the Pinewood Derby in Cub Scouts.

There is also a poem. I would like the record to show that I wrote a poem about computers at age ten:

I like Computers They make me feel neat When I see one I want to take a seat.

Chapter 5: My Future

When I grow up I would like to work with computers or own my own business. I might stay in Missouri to be close to my family, or move to Hershey Pennsylvania to be close to the chocolate factory. I hope to get married and have a family, own a home and travel a little. Just live a normal life and be a good person.

The end…

I did not move to Hershey. But the very first thing on that list, work with computers, is exactly what I grew up to do. I have been working with them ever since, the whole hobby right there on the cover in a little thought bubble. Ten-year-old me, writing a book because his teacher made him, accidentally wrote down the truth.