summer book pick...Wonder

"The reason I'm not ordinary is that no one sees me that way." 

August Pullman, Wonder

I started and finished this gem of a book while sitting on the sandy shores of Lake McConaughy. I read in the shade of the cottonwood trees all afternoon, which required constant relocation of my beach blanket as I tried to stay out of the sun. The point being that I couldn't put it down.

My son has been habitually suggesting that I read this book for about nine months. He loved it. I loved it. 

A brief summary: At 10 years old, August Pullman is entering public school for the first time. Auggie was born with a severe facial deformity, he says, "I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse." The story is told from his perspective, his sister's perspective, and the perspective of several friends. I rolled through a gauntlet of emotions while reading and it was worth every minute.

I would recommend it for ages 8 and up...boys or girls, teenagers, college students, young adults, families, everyone. It would make a fabulous family read-aloud.

You'll love it, I promise.

wonder and awe, dolphins and dandelions

"He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed."

~Albert Einstein

D standing on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown, looking out over Charleston Harbor

My children have gifted me many countless gifts, the non-material kind. One of the greatest is allowing me to experience "wonder and awe." They get so excited about the world around them. Every insect, every flower, construction sites, beautiful buildings, springtime birds, fluffy snowflakes and fuzzy cattails. If they see dolphins in a harbor, pet a stingray, or are surrounded by sea turtles, the reaction is exponentially greater.

Dolphins! D saw them first from the USS Yorktown.

Cooper River Bridge, Charleston...we never tired of the view or the bridge crossings. Beautiful.

They speak in exclamation marks. I will so miss it when they don't, at least not quite the same way.

 

I savor the beauty around me, this is not usually a struggle for me. But with my kids, life is more magnified, like the prisms Pollyanna hung in windows to create rainbows that sparkled on every surface.

And I will miss dandelions. Belle has spotted the first dandelions this week. My counters and kitchen table are decorated with vase upon vase of these yellow beauties. I'm constantly hearing exclamations of "Dandelions! Dandelions!" as she sprints to collect each and every one.

Some day dandelions will be a weed, but now they are a spring jewel. I will miss the dandelion bouquets, but I will enjoy each offering in this season.