My Emily by Matt PattersonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dear Matt,
Your story touched me in so many levels. As a parent whose little one died, I understand the endless cycles of hospital visits, the conferences with the doctors, the hope and denial, and the final crushing blow. I went through all of this without knowing God, but at the moment when my son left this world, God put a thought in my mind that he had gone with Jesus Christ. And at that moment, at the lowest point of my life, I knew God's grace had touched me and he had sent my little boy to draw me to Him.
My favorite quote:
From time to time, I hear parents bragging to each other about their "perfect" children. I smile knowing that some would look at Emily's life and think that a child born with Down syndrome has little hope for a meaningful life. Throw in the diagnosis of leukemia and that little hope turns to no hope whatsoever. I disagree.
Patterson, Matt (2011). My Emily (Kindle Locations 775-778). Matt Patterson. Kindle Edition.
I don't look at people as "perfect" or "imperfect". Every person was designed and created by God for a specific purpose that only God knows. If God was pleased to create that person the way they are, who am I to say anything? Every one of God's creation is perfect in His eyes, and I am just grateful with awe that He has blessed us with all the perfect gifts he bestows upon us every day we exist, especially the most perfect of all gifts - Romans 6:23
This is a book to be read and re-read. Your joy and exuberance of discovering Emily and your pure love for her are a testament to God's love for his children. Thank you for sharing your story!
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Hi, Rachelle. I just downloaded My Emily to my Kindle, then was googling the author and happily ended up here. I don't have a developmentally disabled child, but my 47 year old child/adult daughter got brain injury when she was 20 and at the moment is in the psychiatric ward in our hospital after trying to choke herself to death. I'm a widow, alone with her, and I empathize with others like Matt Peterson who have some of life's most difficult trials; trials that we can learn so much from, but especially they are tests for us to see how we'll reach out and help those in need as Christ would have us do.
ReplyDeleteAnn Best, Author of In the Mirror & Other Memoirs
p.s. I just downloaded your book.
ReplyDeleteThanks you Ann for your testimony. Nothing softens your heart more and than caring for a person who cannot reciprocate. God allows you to love the way He loves us. I'll pray for Jen to get well.
ReplyDeleteRachelle - Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteAnn - Thank you as well - Blessings to you ....
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