This is such a beautiful memoir, told unflinchingly and with such vulnerability that you feel like you are taking the journey right there with the author. At its core, James Robinson's story is a deeply moving reflection on the beauty and love that his son Nadav brought out in all of the people he encountered throughout his brief life. It's about the resilience of his child in the face of unbelievable challenges, of James and Tali as they try to navigate the complexities of a health care system and the reality of their son's condition, and of his siblings working through what it is to have a brother going through all of these things. James seamlessly weaves in his connection to judaism, through allegories and references to prayers and holidays. Through his faith, he finds meaning, strength, and community to help him try to process it all, and continue moving forward.
He starts his memoir from the point where he meets his wife, Tali, and moves through milestones and the years with anecdotes shared through a beautifully optimistic though realistic lens. As they learn about their son's heart condition, and the various life saving procedures that follow, they partner with the doctors, diving deep into medical jargon, which helps them have some control over their situation, in a world of unknowns, where they must mostly rely on faith and trust in the doctors, and in their son. James' reveal of his timeline is such that it keeps you moving forward with him, cheering on the small victories, and being grateful for the moments of grace and synchronicity as they come their way.
There is so much about his memoir that I loved-- I couldn't possibly put it all here in this review. Yes, I shed many tears while reading it-- though many were tears of witnessing such strength and resilience in the face of unimaginable challenges. This excerpt sums it up for me-- On a particularly difficult day, Nick, their doctor, has just heartbreakingly explained that they're doing all they can do for Nadav in that moment, and shares that Nadav could either improve, (not likely that night), stay stable, (what they're hoping for), or get worse, in which case, there may be nothing more they can do:
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The room was quiet, still; the doctors looked at us, gravely; I said nothing, stunned.
But Tali stayed calm.
"So what you're saying," she said, "is that it's up to him?"
"I suppose that's right," Nick replied.
"I can live with that," she said. "I trust him."
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Though James Robinson's memoir is at times quite heartbreaking, it is also such a powerful testament to the faith and strength we can have as parents when we're called upon to do so. Don't let the sad bits keep you away from this beautiful memoir-- James has written it with such grace and dexterity, that his writing is life-affirming, reminding us of the privilege of both raising a child, and being in community with one another, lifting one another up to the best of our abilities, as we do so.
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Top reviews from other countries
elisainnyc
Beautiful memoir, beautifully written.
Reviewed in the United States on 14 November 2023Verified Purchase
Jessica H.
Moving, yet somehow hopeful, memoir
Reviewed in the United States on 8 February 2024Verified Purchase
Jeanine Morelli
A story of love, sacrifice and perseverance
Reviewed in the United States on 17 January 2024Verified Purchase
Amazon User
Soulful and heartfelt
Reviewed in the United States on 28 November 2023Verified Purchase
Aviva Barber
Amazing book to read
Reviewed in the United States on 31 December 2023Verified Purchase
