Here's your sign
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I love to read. Really love to read. But, I can't say that I've ever had a favorite book until this last year. If you have not read Wonder, you need to. NEED to. You also need to either read it to your children or make them read it themselves. I like to say that having a cleft lip/palate does not "define"me...but...it kind of defines me. I am 100% fine with the fact that one time you were telling someone about me and they couldn't quite place me and you said: You know...the one with the "face." Yep...that's me. I got "the face."
Not only do I love good literature, but I love GOOD children's literature. In the era of Twilight, I love to see a well written, well developed book with strong characters. Regardless of the fact that Wonder is personal for me, it's just a good book.
In 1996, I was 22 years old, living with my friend Kathy. I had dropped out of college and wasn't really sure where I was going. I had a relatively serious boyfriend who was nice enough but mostly just...there. It was then that I heard the Natalie Merchant song "Wonder." I could have sworn this song was written for me. It was so personal and important to me. Didn't change my life at the time but has stayed with me since. So, this year when I picked up Wonder and the first page quoted the song that defined me I wept. Really..."mom cried" over that one.
Wonder is starting to become required reading for elementary students and I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by wonderful teachers who invite me to come speak to their classes about my own experiences. What I try to convey (whether eloquently or not) is that this is not a book about bullying. It's about how it's the little things we say and do to each other that make such a big difference. And not just the negative. The positive is just as important. A high five or a smile can change a life.
When sweet baby Lucy was born she was so very sick. It was life changing. But, another small and wonderful thing happened. There was a woman who worked in the hospital delivering the daily meals. I remembered her. She had been there when I had Christian (she was subsequently there when I had Wyatt, by the way). The day Lucy was born was an emotionally devastating day that I couldn't possibly put into words. I was recovering from an especially dramatic bought of self pity when this woman brought me my meal. And, because I was taught to look people in the eye and say "Thank You," I did just that. She said to me "You always have the most beautiful smile. Thank you." I could tell it meant something to her and I promised to make it mean something to me too.
Wonder has another quote. It's another musical quote and, frankly, a song I was not that familiar with at the time. But they are not words that made me think of myself or my own history, but my girl. No truer words have been spoken.
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