Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

I finished listening to Real by Carol Cujec and Peyton Goddard this week, and it was seriously powerful. It’s inspired by true events–Peyton Goddard lives with a level of autism that left her unable to communicate until adulthood–and if you can imagine a mashup of Sharon M. Draper’s Out of My Mind and R.J. Palacio’s Wonder that is authored by Nellie Bly, that’s my best description of the plot. Nothing Charity does is easy, and as she and her supporters work to advocate for those without a voice, I found myself reconsidering my own impressions and assumptions about those around me. If you want a poignant, inspiring, and thought-provoking read for the new year, look no further.

In other news, I attended my Uncle Rick’s funeral today. He was a good man who loved his family, and listening to his daughter and grandson talk about him brought me back to my own experiences with him. Not all adults are excited to focus on kids, but Rick always made a point to interact with me. He was 92 and failing–I know he lived a good, long life–but he will still be missed.

And I am, as ever, reminded how grateful I am for my family.