Happy to be alive

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Disclosure: I received this book to review. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Summertime makes me happy.  I feel the summer down to my bones.  So help me, it’s hard for me to slather on sunscreen because it seems to stave off the warm feeling of the sun on my skin.  The early morning hours are my time to spend in the garden.  The scent of the early rose blossoms, coupled with the heady musk of pollen trying to entice the bees, is far more intoxicating than alcohol for me.  The birds singing, woodpeckers pecking, and the tiny spring peeper frogs from the pond next door serenade me as I water my plants.  My kids usually wander outside near the end of my gardening session, sleepy hair and cheeks still warm from slumber beg to be kissed.  These are the moments I love in the summer.

What if those happy thoughts were stolen from me?  What if my life on this earth was cut short; would those early morning epiphanies stay with my soul?  I think so.  This thought helps me to cherish the joy of every moment.  Every chance to love and be loved should be taken.  Would I want my children to miss out on the happiness that their lives hold before them?  Absolutely not!  I want my kids to find their happiness and clutch it in a kung-fu vice grip.  With every breath of fresh air and every snowflake that sprinkles their dark hair, I will send my love across the universe.  I want them to know that they’re wanted, precious, and beloved. I want them to be happy to be alive.

My heart broke as I read Happy To Be Alive, Because by Chelsea Jacobs.  Not because the book was really sad, because it’s not, but more because I couldn’t help but connect with Avery’s mom.  When Avery loses her mom to cancer, she feels completely lost in the world.  To her surprise, her mother reaches out beyond the grave to make sure that her lovely daughter is going to be okay.

Happy-to-be-Alive-Because- savingsinseconds.com   This is not a book I would have normally chosen off the shelf, probably because I’m a book cover snob.  The cover of this book just doesn’t make me think of a deeply emotional novel.  But it is, friends!  It is!   The adults in her life really seemed to drop the ball.  Didn’t anyone make long-term plans with her in mind?  Why doesn’t anyone encourage her to start college?  I think her mom expected to have more time.  That broke my heart right there.  Avery’s aunt was supportive but strangely absent in the whole situation, other than to provide some funds for Avery’s adventure.  Perhaps all of this was orchestrated behind the scenes and it just wasn’t mentioned in the book, but it drove me crazy!   The only other complaint I had about this book was the number of typos and formatting issues.  I counted at least six as I read.  That sort of thing bugs me in a published book, but it didn’t really detract from the story.

Teens will definitely connect with Happy To Be Alive, Because.  Although the story is really unlikely (after all, how do a bunch of teenagers just happen to have the means to enjoy a summer on the beach without parents?) it’s quite engaging.  I definitely wanted to know what happens in Avery’s life, what decisions she makes, and how the whole story turns out. All of this took place without profanity or sexual encounters, although it’s briefly mentioned in jest.  It’s a book that can be passed on to my nieces without worry of mature details, and I appreciate that.  It’s also important to note that Rob knows how to treat a girl.  Since the teen girls in my life are interested in boys now (gah!!!!!!) I want them to have good models to follow.  A book boyfriend who knows how to hold a girl’s hand and not expect more?  Yes, please.  And the mystery in this book caught me up in its undertow.  I was SO NOT EXPECTING what I read in these pages, especially the final chapters.  Holy cannelloni.  Talk about a surprise!  The Christian aspect in this book was not heavyhanded at all.  Other than a few mentions of Bible verses, there really wasn’t an evangelical theme to the story.  Is that good?  Maybe.  I did think that Avery would dwell on this issue a little bit more since she was dealing with her mom’s death, but perhaps she was just not in that place yet.  There’s some unfinished business going on here.  I need to know more.  Chelsea, whatcha got up your sleeve??? (Eyebrows waggling up and down)

Reading this book made me happy to be alive.  There were several ideas in the book that I’d like to incorporate in my life as a way of documenting the years.  Author Chelsea Jacobs is as cute as she can be (just check out her website!) and I’m excited to watch her future in the writing world.  I’m also really interested in finding a place in Florida that serves good sweet tea, because the Gold Peak we get at Disney World is NOT the real thing!  And sweet tea makes me happy to be alive!

A book you MUST read - Fly A Little Higher (story of Zach Sobiech) -- savingsinseconds.com Another book I read this week that helped me remember how precious life is — Fly A Little Higher.  Keep the tissues nearby because this book is going to make you bawl!!  It’s the story of Zach Sobiech and how he changed the world with his smile and his music.  Diagnosed with terminal cancer at age 17, Zach was determined to make the most of his time here on earth.  I’m pretty sure I heard about Zach at one point or another but didn’t know the whole story.   You CANNOT read this book without being changed.  There is a section in this book with pictures from Zach’s life; they just tore out my heart and shred it into little pieces.  These small moments (mohawks, tickles, and football smiles) are so important to a mama.  This is a timely book, coinciding with the release of the movie The Fault In Our Stars and Heaven Is For Real.

What struck me so deeply was that the book is authored by Zach’s mom, Laura Sobiech.  At first the book starts rather like a diary, recording her thoughts and feelings while reflecting the words of Zach.  As the story progressed, it became more of a blend of the two souls.  Throughout the book, Sobiech maintains her humanity through humor and realism.  She speaks honestly and candidly about Zach having a girlfriend at such a complicated time, the magic of Zach’s music and how it lingered with him even in his last days, and how people can be connected through the gift of song.  Sometimes I had to stop reading because of the sheer pain of knowing that Zach’s days were numbered.  I had it wrong, though.  Zach’s days on earth might have been numbered, but he’s still making the world a better place even today!

Forget the fiction, people.  When you realize that people like Zach are real, leaving an impact on souls by having childlike faith, it’s enough to make you cry.  Like I said, get the tissues.

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Comments

  1. What a great lesson… never judge a book by its cover! To be taken quite literally this time! ;_ – Heather, Life of a Traveling Navy Wife

  2. I am entering to win a fathers day peeling set from Mad Mimi.

  3. Jamie Martin says

    Typos.. Ugh.
    Not gonna lie; turned me off from the whole book.

  4. Thank you so much for taking the time to write this review! Girl, you just let me know when you’re in FL again and I will share all the sweet tea hidden secrets with you.

    As an author, typos are one of the most frustrating things. It went through two rounds of editing (with a real editor–not me haha) and STILL things slipped through the cracks. Thank goodness for second and third editions! I appreciate that you were still able to enjoy the story despite that.

    And I’m wiggling my eyebrows right back atcha, friend. Hopefully those questions you addressed will be answered soon… 🙂

    Have a beautiful day! xo

  5. I really enjoyed your reviews of these two books. I enjoy being able to read a review and feel that the book is one for me! Thanks!

  6. Robin Wilson says

    I have to be in the right mindset to read a book like this. Else I find myself in a funk. I like books that give me a good cry, but I have to be “in the mood”. I wouldn’t pick up this book by the cover either…or the title. But now that you’ve reviewed it, I’ll put it on my Want To Read list.

  7. Edna Williams says

    Thank you for the review! Can’t wait to read this.

  8. marnie ward says

    “Happy to be alive”, definitely! It is a very sad story but it also the circle of life. I would love to read this book even though I know I will cry but I will also reflect on my own life and probably will appreciate a lot more after reading it.

  9. Sherry Compton says

    Powerful and emotional reads. I like how you took such a positive message and look from the books. Overcoming with strength and God’s Grace. It’s amazing how strong and happy people can be. Today is Upsy Daisy Day. It’s about waking up happy and realizing how blessed we are. I hope they sun is shining on you today.

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