Wherever You Are

I love books. I love the way they smell. I love the way they look on the shelves in my living room. Autobiographies are my favorite. I also take pleasure a girly, love/life story now and then. Last weekend I was introduced to something a little different; a type of book that I haven’t thoroughly enjoyed in more than 25 years – a children’s book.


My sister purchased Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman to read to her daughter Aubrey. It may seem silly since I have no children (yet), but after reading this book I had to have one for myself. It is the most extraordinary, most sincere, loving book that I have ever had the privilege to read.


Of course, it may hold a special place in my heart because even at 31, I pretend that my mother is reading this book to me. Nine years to the day that I read this book we lost our mother to cancer. Needless to say, there were tears. This book is exactly what our mother would say to us, right now, today, if she could. If I close my eyes and concentrate hard enough I can hear her voice…”So hold your head high and don’t be afraid to march to the front of your own parade. If you’re still my small babe or you’re all the way grown, my promise to you is you’re never alone.”


I must admit, it is difficult to hold back the tears, but I cannot stop reading this book. There are no words to describe how much I miss my mother. But when I quietly recite the words over and over I feel as if she is standing behind me whispering in my ear…”So climb any mountain…climb up to the sky! My love will find you. My love can fly.”


I am by no means a book critic, but I do appreciate compassionate words that can express so splendidly such a powerful feeling…love. Even if you do not have a child to share it with, you will fall in love with the sweet words Nancy Tillman conveys so perfectly. This book will warm your heart even on the coldest of days.