Buffalo & Erie County Public Library Staff Review by Carol Ann Strahl:
Mattie’s life may have been short (Wikipedia) but this “Messenger of Peace and Love” reflected in his writings is the divine essence of the human spirit. In this poignant and uplifting narrative, Mattie’s mother Jeni details the struggles that both she and Mattie endured. Jeni and all four of her children were diagnosed with a rare neuromuscular disease. They were the only ones in the world identified with this condition. Three of her four children died very young and Mattie survived only into his early teenage years. He spent his time as a beacon of love and life to a jaded, cynical world. The light people saw in Mattie was reflected through his beautiful poetry and persona.
Purity of soul defined Mattie. He was imbued with wisdom and empathy and never wavered in his message of peace and love. He did not want to die young, as he felt he had much more to accomplish. In divine retrospect, his work was finished and it was time to go home.
An inspiring story not only of sacrifice, pain, and loss but also triumph of this sacred soul filled with the treasure of God’s grace.
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