Talking about my books at a funeral

A bittersweet story about the power of shared books

One of the small joys in life is when I unexpectedly get to talk about my books and my life as an author. It’s not something I usually bring up, and when I do it’s often in response to a question like, “So, what do you do for a living?” or when someone I know tells someone I don’t know, “She’s a children’s book author!” Usually it’s at a wedding reception, a church luncheon, or some other social gathering.

More recently, it was at a funeral.

My dear friend Cheryl recently lost her son, so naturally I made it a point to attend his visitation to pay my respects and give my friend a big hug. Though I know this friend well, and she is one of my favorite people, I had only met her husband once or twice, and of her three sons I had only met one of them, and that was very briefly several years ago.

After greeting Cheryl and her family (and giving her a big hug), I introduced myself to her daughter-in-law, and Cheryl said, “This is the author!”

Then this woman, who was grieving the loss of her husband, beamed at me with a big smile and told me how Cheryl had told her so much about me, and how much her son loved my book Two Tough Trucks. Her husband had read it to him over and over at bedtime, so many times that eventually her son (who is four) knew the book by heart.

I don’t really remember what else was said, but it wasn’t the typical “oh, you’re an author!” conversation that so often leads to me giving someone a bookmark. We both had tears in our eyes before the conversation was over. I was sad that this father and son wouldn’t have more time to spend sharing stories and creating memories together, but also so honored that a book that I wrote was such a source of joy for them and a memory that will likely be treasured for years to come.

I personally have so many memories from my own childhood, specifically with my mother, that revolve around books and reading. And many memories of reading to and with my own children. These stories—and indeed books in general—have helped us connect in ways that we wouldn’t have otherwise. I’m so grateful to the authors and illustrators who created these books and contributed to the memories we share and the connections that I was able to form with my children throughout the years. And I’m so grateful to God for giving me this passion for books and writing so that I can have a small part of that in someone else’s life. It is truly why I do what I do.

This is the true power of books. The true power of reading together. It strengthens bonds, creating connections that can last throughout a lifetime and even beyond. What a miracle that is! What a joy that is, even—or perhaps especially—in the midst of sorrow.

Do you have any treasured memories that relate to books or reading? I’d love to hear about them!

---

A few books that are part of my treasured memories

• Used Up Bear by Clay Carmichael. I think this book came from a library book sale, and it’s probably out of print, but my son adored this book when he was little, and we shared many quiet moments sharing this sweet story together.

• The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordian and The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Each of these books I read aloud to my son when he was in elementary school. I specifically remember reading The Lightning Thief when he was sick in bed.

• Granny Torelli Makes Soup by Sharon Creech. I don’t remember why, but one night my then college age daughter

  Samantha Coté
  started reading this book aloud to each other, and didn’t stop until we were done!

• The Hutchinson Treasury of Children’s Poetry. I spent so much time reading aloud from this book, and I know those are some favorite bookish memories of my other daughter,

  Julia McMullen
  .

• The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. This is one of those books that I enjoyed so much that I insisted on reading it to my family. One summer night there was a power outage, so we all hung out in the basement where it was relatively cool and I read aloud from this book. When I decided to stop because I was tired of reading, my husband was so invested in the story that he decided to finish it himself!

• The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien. Though we only read part of the first book in the trilogy when my kids were young, they have all since read at least half of the books (my son is a little behind), and they basically grew up with the movies.

• So many other picture books that I can’t possibly name them all, but here are a few: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, The Bremen Town Musicians by Hans Willhelm, The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka.

  ---