Will Little Roo Ever...?

My first book was the strength training book, Inside the Mind of an Iron Icon. This beautifully illustrated children's picture book—many thanks to my talented illustrator, Jacob Below, for bringing my words to life—is obviously much different. It's inspired by my daughter, Ruby, and the challenges she faced with developmental delays, but it's not entirely her story. It's my take on the emotional journey of every child and family who finds themselves in a similar situation. 

I guess I have two reasons for being passionate enough about this little story to go so far as to run a successful Kickstarter campaign to raise enough money to publish it. Primarily, I hope to create an atmosphere of acceptance and belonging for all children and their parents. Whatever the reality is, mild delays or more extensive, it's going to be okay because of that unbreakable parent/child bond of love. 

I'm also doing it as a legacy to Roo, as we affectionately called her, and her fighting spirit. She woke up happy and grateful to be alive every day. The smallest things we all take for granted were fascinating to her. I once saw her stop dead in her tracks in the middle of the sidewalk and bend over to inspect something on the ground. When I couldn't get her to budge from her spot after several minutes, I finally figured out what had grabbed her attention so fiercely. It was a tiny bug barely bigger than a speck of dust she'd somehow noticed while running along, despite the fact I hardly saw it with my nose buried in cement. When I took the time to marvel with her, this little bug really was pretty amazing. If you'd like to read more of my thoughts on the importance to all of us of creating our legacies, check out my article, He's Coming. Are You Ready?.