To my parents, Fred and Cecilia Fangonon:

Growing up, I remember how my teachers would praise my above-average vocabulary.

We never had much, but you made sure we could have all the books to our hearts' content. I remember a childhood filled with pages and pages of words and pictures, me and my siblings devouring everything in sight.

I remember our little family library.

That I can write a decent paragraph, and string a poem together, I owe it to you. Every book you bought us led to an appreciation of the written word and a love for learning.

For that I am grateful.