#47 When Will The Heaven Begin by Ally Breedlove

I knew how this book was going to end.  Unless you've been living under a rock, you've most likely seen Ben Breedlove's now famous YouTube video "This is My Story."  I cried when I first watched it and had no idea who Ben was, nor did I have any idea what he had lived with his entire life.  Now that I know, I am afraid to watch it.  I haven't actually.  Maybe I will once I've posted this blog.

Ben's story is detailed in the words of Ally, his older sister and his best friend.  The book literally spans his entire life, hitting the highlights, and some low points, too.  Ben's story is amazing and I was touched.  I was also reminded of a few things. 

It's almost Thanksgiving and most of us are thinking about the things we have to be thankful for, but we often do so with qualifications.  For instance, I am very thankful to have a job.  I am not so happy that I am getting a new student on Monday.  I am very thankful to have two beautiful, healthy daughters.  I am not so happy to be in the middle of their daily drama or to spend hours each night driving them places.  But, the bottom line is that I should be elated for all of the above, the good with the bad.  I should be thrilled that I am getting a new student on Monday, and that I have to dress as a farmer tomorrow and hang pictures in the hallway after school.  I should be thrilled that my daughters want to talk about their lives with me and that I get the pleasure of driving them places.  Because, bottom line, it means we are all still alive, healthy, and moving forward.  I bet Ben's mom would love some drama, or to be able to drive Ben somewhere.  I bet Ally wishes every day that she could send him a text and he'd reply.  Now, Ben, on the other hand, likes where he is and I am happy for him in that respect (you need to read the book to fully appreciate that comment).

I am certainly doing to try to look at life through new lenses.  Perhaps not rose colored ones, but just ones that remind me that while I am still alive, still breathing, and while my heart still does what it's supposed to, life is pretty darn good.

Thanks, Ben,  Thanks, Ally.  I've heard your message loud and clear and I am thankful for the reminder.

:)Dodie