Be Extraordinary

When I was 5 I rode a train up an impossible mountain and delivered toys and animals to families awaiting them. When I was 8 I let the sun and scent of roses wash love and courage over me. At 11 I championed a determined young kid, and cried when he lost the greatest thing in his life. When I was 14 I mourned the life and courageous death of a girl not much older than me, and at 17 I learned that people are not always what they seem. I’ve traveled the world and lived and loved and laughed. I did all this through the pages of a book.

Each of us has a unique opportunity to change the world around us. To change how people see things. To teach something new. Some people become lawyers, or doctors, or engineers. I read, and I write. Each of those things has motivated me, uplifted me, and helped me through a dark time. And I dream that I can use those passions to let others know that they too can overcome. That they too can change the world, and see it differently. That they too can do something extraordinary.

What is extraordinary? Webster’s dictionary defines it as going beyond what is usual, regular, or customary. It means to look further, push boundaries, and dream bigger. It means that I, a mom of 4, a mom who homeschools and works, whose life is full and busy, still have a capacity to do more. I still have the capacity to be extraordinary. And I am pushing for more, by using what I know and what I love to do. By publishing a children’s picture book that teaches kids about the importance of beauty that comes from the heart, and the value of kindness to others. I am extremely proud of this book and I am eagerly awaiting the chance to publish more. Much of my joy and my understanding has come from books. And now it is my dream to create a mobile library which I can use to travel to any place where children and families can gather to read and explore and be inspired to love reading. I will use the mobile library to share my love of literacy by familiarizing children with not only my book, but the many many other incredible stories written by passionate authors. We can also spread an understanding of learning disabilities, and change perceptions about them so it will never be a reason that a child does not love to learn or to read. The Mobile Library can make a difference by building relationships with children and families through sharing life experiences with story times, outreach, and other activities. Another way it can forge relationships is through a monthly publication made for kids. This publication, a sort of magazine, will feature local children’s writers, entrepreneurs, and artists, as well as children who are stepping up to inspire others. It will include children’s short stories written by guest authors, an emotional wellness check in for kids with a different focus each month, and my favorite part...an interactive story built on prompts and suggestions by kids through a website link.

This mobile library could be the difference between a child succeeding in life and falling through the cracks. It could also be the push needed for a child already dreaming. Imagine the teenager, already beaten down by life, learning and growing, surviving and overcoming through the words on the page. Picture the small child sitting with their parent, dreaming of fantastical worlds and imaginary animals, reimagining the world as she knows it. The Mobile Library and the publication connected to it could make a difference. It could be extraordinary. And it could make so many others extraordinary too.