"Turns out that small birds are going to fly whether we like it or not. It's no different for our kids."
It's all about letting go, whether through life or death, we all experience the challenge of loving and letting go. It was no different for Bruce and Linda, whose decision to bring a small young "bird" into their home changed their life forever. Mindy had been transported to the United States as part of an historic "baby-lift" out of war torn Saigon. Her fragile psyche was evident, totally opposite from her outgoing older sister Sonny, prompting her new family to rally around her as a protective shield. But sadly, not everyone was a fan. At least not at first, maybe never.
Through-out the pages of this inspiring story, the roles of mother, father, sisters, are beautifully inspected under the microscope of good intentions, and yet there's always the notion that at some point, the little bird will have to fly on her own. . . "We won't be afraid. We will trust in you" . . . the prayer every parent has reason to pray.
"It's the nature of small birds to sing their hearts out. And it's the nature of God to hear them."
In spite of the varying voices and timelines, this was quite a pleasant book to read.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. I also purchased a copy. The opinions stated above are entirely my own. 3.5 stars
“It’s the nature of small birds to sing their hearts out. And it’s the nature of God to hear them.”
A heartwarming story of a girl who was adopted from Vietnam during Babylift in 1975 and the effect it had on her adoptive family. It is told from three voices: Dad Bruce in 2013, Mom Linda in 1975 and Sister Sonny in 1988. I was amazed by the ability of the author to capture three different characters and time periods. Having been a teen in the late 60s, this story was very nostalgic. My husband and I lived on Guam for four years, leaving in 1975 just before the evacuation of Vietnam. So memories abound.
This is a story of unexpected love and solidity of family. The author has a knack for bringing in the flavor of the eras. She does a great job of getting in the heads of the characters and portraying their foibles and concerns. I most identify with the father, Bruce, maybe because I am around his age. Bruce: “I am a fortunate man who has witnessed God’s new mercies coming whether I deserve them or not... Mixed in with the good and bad is a whole lot of stuff that was just normal everyday living...Rain or sun, storms or calm; nature is good, full of glimmers of God’s glory.” He is shown as having wisdom and having grown in his faith. He is the backbone of the family.
The author delights us with word pictures: “The air is crisp, but not biting. The sun is bright but not blinding. And the busiest crowds in the woods are of the feathered variety.”
This is a stunning book to be savored and learned from, likening small birds to our children.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*I give this 5 Stars and a solid faith thread.
BackCover Blurb:
In 1975, three thousand children were airlifted out of Saigon to be adopted into Western homes. When Mindy, one of those children, announces her plans to return to Vietnam to find her birth mother, her loving adopted family is suddenly thrown back to the events surrounding her unconventional arrival in their lives.
Though her father supports Mindy's desire to meet her family of origin, he struggles privately with an unsettling fear that he'll lose the daughter he's poured his heart into. Mindy's mother undergoes the emotional rollercoaster inherent in the adoption of a child from a war-torn country, discovering the joy hidden amid the difficulties. And Mindy's sister helps her sort through relics that whisper of the effect the trauma of war has had on their family--but also speak of the beauty of overcoming.
Told through three strong voices in three compelling timelines, The Nature of Small Birds is a hopeful story that explores the meaning of family far beyond genetic code.
I’ve had this on my radar to read. Sounds wonderful.
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