Almost one year ago, I was inspired to publish a post, “The Dangerous Cliche'”, based on a piece published in the New York Times by Amy Julia Becker. Mrs. Becker has a daughter named Penny with Down syndrome, and her post dealt with her decision not to undergo prenatal testing with her youngest daughter, Marilee. You can read Mrs. Becker’s original post here and her follow-up here.
I’ve followed Amy Julia’s blog, Thin Places, for about a year now, and am often drawn to her writings on faith, family, and disability, so I’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of her new memoir, A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny
Top of her class at Princeton, Amy Julia Becker always imagined that her children would turn out just like her. They’d love literature and enjoy art. They would be the first toddlers walking in playgroup. And they’d meet the love of their life while away at boarding school. So when her daughter Penny entered the world with Down syndrome, Becker had to rethink everything.
A Good and Perfect Gift
Beyond tackling the day-to-day whirlwind of doctor visits, child development experts, insulting comments from well-meaning friends and even her own prejudices, Becker comes face to face with terrifying emotions….worry that Penny would die early or that she wouldn’t be able to live on her own; sorrow over the thought that Penny might not know deep love from another person; and her darkest fear, that Becker herself wouldn’t know how to love her daughter.
But love—love from Penny, love from her husband, love from friends, and love from God—finds a way to pick Becker up out of her fear and into faith. Instead of being a parent crippled by control and expectations, she finds freedom and joy in loving Penny and watching her thrive in who she was perfectly created to be.
A Good and Perfect Gift is more than just a narrative that spans the first two years of Amy Julia Becker’s new life with Down syndrome. From the initial dark moments in the hospital to the light and laughter Penny brought into the family, it is a story of a remarkable little girl who surpassed expectations. It is the story of a young couple coming to terms with their first-born child being different than they anticipated, and eventually receiving that child as a precious gift. It should appeal to any reader who wonders how grief can be transformed into joy.
Several weeks ago, prior to the book’s release on September 1, Amy Julia contacted me to see if I would be interested in receiving a copy of the book to review (Heck, yeah!) I’ll be sharing my take on it and featuring the book in the coming weeks. Even better, though – the publisher, Bethany House, has offered to provide a copy for me to give away to one lucky reader. ~Happy Dance!~
More details both on the book and the giveaway are coming soon. In the meantime, an excerpt can be downloaded below. A Good and Perfect Gift: Faith, Expectations, and a Little Girl Named Penny
Download A Good and Perfect Gift (Excerpt)
Congratulations, Sonya M., winner of the Uprinting Personalized Letterhead Giveaway! Sonya said that she if she won she would use the personalized letterhead for her WAHM business, Belly Charms. Through Belly Charms, she sells mother’s bracelets, maternity belly rings, and other accessories, but most importantly, she helps to support her sister’s fight against brain cancer. I was touched by the responses to my question about how each of you would use the letterhead if you won – letter writing is apparently not a lost art! Thank you to everyone who entered and welcome to all of my new followers!
*Note: I used Random.org to generate a random number for me to select the winner of the Uprinting Giveaway.
I finally got this book based your review here. This book is so moving and so true to my thoughts and feelings those first couple of months and the first year of Lacey’s life. I have recommended this book to everyone. Maybe not only for new parents that have joined on this new journey in life but also for friends and families. I remember so well how people had no idea what to say or family would say things like “she is doing so well but has many challenges ahead of her.” I love how she didn’t sugar coat her thoughts or feelings in writing this book. I love her honesty. I told my friend recently this book is like my story and how the author reacted and how her husband reacted are the same as my husband and I. I love to read and this is the first book that I can say has brought me to tears on several occasions but also I can related to it on so many levels and it has moved me. I just wanted to say “Thank You” for recommending this book. It truly is amazing book.
You’re welcome! I thought it was honest without being self-centered or overly dramatic. I could relate in a very personal way, as well.