This just might be the saddest book I have ever read. Brian O'Connor is an attorney. He fights for justice and understands black and white. There is one thing about, Tom, that would shock most seeing his day to day life. He is blind. Although he lives a sightless life from our aspects, he sees better than most. He is the husband every woman dreams of and the father of two children, Tommy and Shannon. Life is good for this Irish Catholic family. Bridgette, Tom's wife, is faithful and true to all she believes. Brian, on the other hand, doesn't really believe, but they make a choice to raise their children up in the Catholic church.
Brian has a guide dog that is never missing from his side. I love the relationship we see between man and his dog. This is a deep relationship. Life is good for the O'Connor family until a baseball game changes everything. Tommy is pitching and breaks his arm. This isn't just a break, it is much more. Cancer.
This book is more so of a journal of the journey of this family as, Tommy, is diagnosed with cancer. It is told from, Brian's perspective. We see the battle he faces. One that we hope we never have to face. This story broke my heart. It was a difficult read for me.
Through this tragedy that touches this family, Brian, begins meeting with Rev. Clayton McRae. They form a friendship and a bond that is unbreakable. Brian begins asking questions as Rev. McRae lovingly shares Christ with him. Brian is asking, "If there is a God, why would He do this to a young boy?" I love how Rev. McRae doesn't force Christ on Brian, but simply shares his heart with him. He makes himself available. He shares Christ with, Brian, in a way that he can understand. Brian and Rev. McRae begin running. I felt this tied in beautifully with this story. We are all running a race and wow, can we run a greater distance with the Lord at our side.
We see, Brian, come to believe in God. This is a lovely story of family, life, and love. It is one that will touch your heart. This book touches the lines of denominations and faith. Although there are many denominations, there is only one true faith. Only one way to heaven and that is through, Jesus Christ. I am telling you to prepare yourself. This will not be a book you soon forget.
Now, with that being said, I wanted more. As a Christian novel I wanted to see the gospel truly shared. I wanted to see Rev. McRae share the gospel with, Tommy, through this battle of cancer. I wanted to see, Brian, and his new belief reach out to his family more and share what he had be treasured with seeing. He once was blind, but now he sees. I wanted to see FAITH. I think there are so many beautiful aspects to this book. It just might be one that I must go back and read again to grasp the whole meaning. It is a novel that broke my heart and brought me to a place of being more open to share the gospel in love to those who cannot yet see it's beauty.
This book was a gift from Glass Road Publications for it's review.
Tom Sullivan, known to many as an actor, singer, entertainer, author, and producer, lives and works by "Sullivan's Rules." Born prematurely in 1947, Tom was given too much oxygen while in an incubator. Though it saved his life, it cost him his eyesight. The "inconvenience" of being blind has never kept Tom Sullivan from competing in a world where he realized that to be equal, for him, meant that he must be better. Over the years he's made a number of guest-starring appearances in shows such as Designing Women, Highway to Heaven, Fame, M.A.S.H, Mork & Mindy, and WKRP in Cincinnati. But to create the characters and fulfill the role of a blind man on prime time, he also helped write and develop many of these stories. He gained popularity on daytime TV as a regular on Search For Tomorrow and was awarded the 1984 Governors Committee Award for his role. Tom has also been nominated twice for Emmy Awards. As a special correspondent for ABC's Good Morning America, Tom has become a regular morning fixture in millions of American homes. His touching and insightful reports give many that "you can do it" bit of inspiration to start their day. Whether it was snow skiing with his son in Colorado, or interviewing the legendary Jack Nicklaus over a few holes of golf, his reporting is memorable. He is now writing and producing for television and film. He is a bestselling author of fiction, non-fiction, and children's books.
