This first book caught my eye recently when I perusing the books at the airport while waiting for my flight to board.

This is the true, heartfelt story of young parents raising a transgender child.  They permitted their child, Ryland, to transition from a female gender to a male at just 5 years old.

I applaud these parents who decided to support and love their child no matter what struggles, uphill battles, and adversities they have had and will face, including having people turn their backs on them.

One sad & alarming statistic stated in the book is that the attempted suicide rate for transgender people who have been raised without support for their gender identity is 41%, while the national average is 1.9%.

This is such a hot, controversial topic currently – primarily because schools and other public places are being faced with how to accommodate the requests of transgenders wanting to use the bathrooms and locker rooms of the sex they identify with, while also trying to respect the privacy and rights of others who feel differently.

Of course, securing the safety of all people should be the utmost priority.

No matter where you stand on this issue, I recommend reading this book for the same reason I read it – to gain a better understanding (transgender perspective) about this topic.

The world simply would be a better place, if we all just try to respect and validate the feelings of others even those who differ from us.

By the way, this family is a religious, Christian family.

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This is a short book.

This is a true story.

This is a book written by an author whose life was cut short far too early in his life.

Dr. Paul Kalanithi was a neurosurgeon who died in his 30’s from lung cancer just two years after being diagnosed.  He was passionate about literature, and the meaning of life and what makes a life worth living.

This book is so beautifully written.  It is also a heartbreaking memoir.

It is truly a loss of a wonderful writer & a talented doctor who could have made extraordinary contributions to the world.

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This is an inspiring and uplifting story with a positive message, and a quick read.

I will admit I have heard similar messages to some of those author John O’Leary makes in his book in other authors’ books too (like Stephen Covey’s).

 However,  even if you only read one chapter in this book – read the chapter titled “What More Can You Do?”.  It is a very powerful chapter stressing the point of “the power of one person” – how when you may take the time to do even a small thoughtful or kind thing for someone else it may end up having a big impact in their lives.  If you were a fan of sports announcer, Jack Buck (or the St. Louis Cardinals) you will especially like this chapter & book.

O’Leary states in his book that a simple nun once wrote, “I alone cannot change the world.  But I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples.”  O’Leary further writes, “Each of you, each of us, do in fact change the world.”

And I love Mr. O’Leary last words in his book:

Live inspired.

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Next time you ask God…

Why Me?

Maybe instead you should say…

Try Me!

It might be just a matter of taking that first step…

    Photo source:  google images