Book Review: Audrey

The folks at The Catholic Company sent us a copy of Audrey by Gloria Conde to review.

Audrey is the story of a very courageous little girl, born in 1983, and her battle with leukemia. The book is a series of vignettes from Audrey's life which show her amazing faith in God and the impact that she had on everyone around her.

From Fr. Anthony Bannon's introduction:

"...the most winning thing about Audrey is that she doesn't lecture you. She just seems to invite you to sit down on that hospital bed beside her, she cuddles up to you like any girl her age, and with the simplicity and depth of her actions she invites you and shows you how to love more sincerely, more simply, more completely."

One of my favorite scenes is when Audrey, only 4 1/2 years-old, decided to emulate Saint Francis:

One day, Lillian (Audrey's mom) was looking for a sweater for Audrey. She entered Audrey's room and opened her dresser drawer. It was completely empty.

"What's going on?"

Aline's drawer (Audrey's sister), on the other hand, was stuffed to the brim. After much effort, they managed to pry it open. My, oh my! Audrey had forced all of her clothes into her sister's drawer. Aline had already seen it and had thought it was crazy. But she hadn't said anything, thinking that if Audrey had done it, she had a reason.

Lillian asked Audrey, "What have you been doing?" Audrey responded with great determination: "I have decided to be poor, and I am going to keep only what I am wearing now."

As Audrey's suffering intensifies- so does her faith grow.  This heroic journey of faith is both heartbreaking and awe inspiring.

Audrey's intense relationship with God would have a profoundly life-changing influence on her family's growth in God- and this is what I most took away from Audrey.

As parents, we  spend a lot of time instructing our children- imparting essential moral lessons and leading them in their spiritual development. Audrey reminded me that often our children are also fantastic teachers and, if we allow them, they can also help direct us on our own journeys.

This review was written as part of The Catholic Company product reviewer program.  Visit The Catholic Company to find more information on Audrey - True Story of a Child's Journey of Faith.