The last blog entry for me was 11/10/2016. That entry date was just a few days after
breast biopsy results revealed that I had HER2+ breast cancer. That diagnosis set me on a path of brutal
chemo and a bilateral mastectomy. Although
I still have many surgeries and some other treatments ahead of me, the chemo
did its job, and I have had a pathological complete response. These past six months have been the most
trying in all of my life, and believe me, I had some real trials before
this. While it took me awhile to find
the strength and focus, I returned to books and writing in my journal. But, I had to put blogging on hold. There was something sad about returning to
this place in cyberspace since it represented much of who I was before cancer. Today, when I reread a picture book that I
had bought before my diagnosis, I knew that it was the perfect reintroduction
to my book blog. This book is beautiful,
but it speaks even more clearly to me now.
The Fantastic Flying
Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce & Joe Bluhm is a book
that is plump with beautiful illustrations, delicious words, and a decadent
story. It speaks to me, specifically,
because my journey with cancer greatly affected my relationship with
books. Just like Morris, I loved words,
stories, and books. I wrote about my own
life in a journal, just like Morris documented his life in a book. But, a storm threw both Morris and me off of
our path and left us scattered, confused, and always looking down. When we finally decided to look up, a library
of books came to us again, but our stories were still heavy and unable to
fly. For Morris, it took years of books
whispering to him and of him sharing stories with others who needed them to be
happy again. For me, it was just months,
but slowly books began to lift my spirits, engage my mind, and bring me back to
life. I talked with really close friends
about the books I read, and just like Morris, I shared some titles “whose tale
was seldom told” because all stories matter. Like Morris, I learned that the
books and stories had never changed; I had.
They were always there waiting for me when I was ready to get lost in
them again. The books took care of
Morris and me. Like Morris, I learned
that books will be carried in my heart no matter what until the day that I too
grab that beautiful bouquet of books and fly away. At the very same time, I also know, just as Morris
did, that at this very moment someone else is opening a book. Those stories will impact that person just as
they did Morris and me. The books are
there, the stories are waiting…for you too.
I want
to encourage readers to share this beautiful picture book with others. There is much to be explored and so much that
could be inferred. Joyce even has a
wonderful website and fantastic short film based on the book (http://morrislessmore.com/). Discover the story of Joyce’s journey as he
was writing this book. Think about
whether more is less or less is more. Most
importantly, contemplate how books have buoyed you through life’s storms.
The Fantastic Flying
Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce & Joe Bluhm, picture book
by Moonbot, an imprint of Atheneum Books for Young Readers (2012). ISBN #
978-1-4424-5702-7
Ideal for anyone who needs healing through books (and that’s
all of us).
