My Emily

By: Matt Patterson

Narrated by: Matt Patterson

This book tells the story of a hurting family, an amazing little girl and a mysteriously faithful God.

Emily wasn't born perfect - so one might think.

She was born with Down Syndrome and many would jump to the conclusion that she would have very little hope for a life of any significance. Two years later came the diagnosis of leukemia. What little hope remaining turned to no hope whatsoever - or so one might think.

The life of this little girl, with all its perceived imperfections, had great meaning. Her loving nature and courage touched the hearts of everyone she met. She also taught them how to value their own lives - even with their many "imperfections".

©2011, 2012 Matt Patterson (P)2012 Matt Patterson

Not as described

As a retired pediatric nurse, I'm always interested in how families deal with chronic or terminal illness; I appreciate the insight that this type of book normally provides. However, My Emily seems more a rambling treatise by a confused and freshly grieving father who hasn't yet clarified his child's life and death in his own mind.

I listened to this book twice before reviewing it, and the best description I can give is that is akin to happening upon a journal entry never meant to be read by anyone other than the author. We learn little about Emily herself, and never really become emotionally invested in her or her story.

I sympathize with her parents on the loss of their daughter, and hope that Emily's dad found some comfort in writing this memoir--but I cannot recommend it.