My Emily [Kindle Edition]

Matt Patterson (Author)

Book Description

Honorable Award Winner - 2012 Reader's Favorite Book Awards
Finalist - 2012 National Indie Excellence Book Awards
Finalist - 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards

This book tells the story of a hurting family, an amazing little girl and a mysteriously faithful God.

Emily wasn't born perfect - so one might think.

She was born with Down Syndrome and many would jump to the conclusion that she would have very little hope for a life with any significance. Two years later came the diagnosis of leukemia. What little hope remaining turned to no hope whatsoever - or so one might think.

The life of this little girl, with all its perceived imperfections, had great meaning. Her loving nature and courage touched the hearts of everyone she met. She also taught them how to value their own lives - even with their many "imperfections."

Note: A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this book will help families with special needs children, those who are battling pediatric cancers, as well as parents grieving the loss of a little one.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"My Emily is an inspirational look into the heart of a father. Matt Patterson humbly shares with you an incredibly courageous story of his daughter that will fill your heart with hope and gratitude. This must-read book will touch hearts and change lives for generations to come."  James Malinchak, Featured on ABC's Hit TV Show, "Secret Millionaire" - Founder, BigMoneySpeaker.com

"This is a beautiful, moving, inspiring story of love and faith that will move every father at a deep level."  Brian Tracy, President - Brian Tracy International

"My Emily is a beautiful and poignant story of how the diagnosis and treatment of a child with cancer impacts the entire family.  It is written in raw and straightforward language that only a parent who has experienced this could provide." - Alexandra Abrams, MD, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellow - Stanford University

"My Emily is one of those stories that you will never forget.  Matt Patterson takes you on a courageous journey very few men ever share."  Jonathan Sprinkles, TV Personality, Author of 10 books on leadership and achievement - jsprinkles.com

"Anyone who has a child should read this incredibly inspirational story of a hurting family, an amazing little girl, and a mysteriously faithful God." - Mark Connelly, Lead Pastor - Mission Community Church, Gilbert, Arizona

About the Author

A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Matt Patterson is an award-winning writer, editor and communications professional. His two-plus decades of experience include public and media relations, as well as print and broadcast journalism. He volunteers his time to helping organizations and charities dedicated to assisting families with children who have special needs or those battling pediatric cancers. Matt resides in Arizona with his wife and two daughters.

Product Details

• File Size: 446 KB
• Print Length: 98 pages
• Publisher: Matt Patterson; 2 edition (November 8, 2011)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0064WD744
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,285 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Touching Story of a Beautiful Life July 19, 2012

By Megan L Scott

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

My Emily by Matt Patterson is a poignant tale of a precious child's life and the people she touched during her brief time here on earth. Her Creator made her for a special purpose many years later. I knew Emily's story would be extremely hard to read because of the many trials her family had to face during her short life. I also knew that I would be extremely blessed in reading it, but was reluctant to pick it up at the same time. I was more than rewarded!

I first got to know Matt, the author, through the "International Online Book Club of Clean Reads." I was so inspired by Matt and how he was always so upbeat and always encouraging and promoting other authors. At the same time, Matt was also tirelessly promoting his book My Emily on the blogosphere, Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, etc. I started to read a few interviews and guest posts that Matt gave on My Emily, and couldn't believe I was weeping over a guest post on a blog I had happened to stumble upon. Matt's passion just shone through that much on everything he did regarding what he viewed as his calling in life at that time--to get his little book into as many hands as possible and share Emily's story with as many people as possible. I knew I had to know more about the story of My Emily!

Don't be fooled--this little book packs a big punch. My Emily is the story of Matt's firstborn daughter, Emily. Emily's life is told from Matt's point of view. Matt shares on one of his blog entries part of this story. He tells of how excited he was to find out he was having his first child. The doctor then told him she was born with Down Syndrome. Matt talks about how he did not even know what Down Syndrome was at the time. My heart broke along with his and his wife's as I read that paragraph. THEN, I read on and came to find out that Emily is later also diagnosed with leukemia. My heart dropped! I can not imagine!

But Matt's attitude is so refreshing in today's society in the way he views his Emily. He loves her so completely. That blesses me so much. I love what he said soon after he found out that Emily was diagnosed with Down Syndrome, "I wanted a boy, but now I had a girl--a girl with a disability. Did I feel cheated? Heck no...I didn't understand people's reactions...Whatever the case, my little angels had such a tight grip on my heart. All I could do was think of them. Forget about going out for a night on the town for two years. I could not wait to get home to see my girls and tuck them in" (298). Matt saw Emily as perfect, just the way His Creator did.

The rest of the story tells of Emily's struggle with these two diseases. Matt writes the story just as if he were sitting down with the reader. He does not try to bog one down with any confusing medical terminology. He just tells things as they are. He gives his raw, but oh-so-real emotions, laying bare his heart to the reader. I think that's why so many people love "My Emily" and can relate to it. He also breaks up the weighty subject matter with a great sense of humor. Between the tears, I found myself laughing out loud at Matt's quirkiness.

Most of all, Matt's message of faith is touching and not preachy. It is just him sharing his beliefs about God's purpose, perfection, and living each day to the fullest. These are things he came to terms with as he lived them out. They are lessons we can all learn from as well. I was especially touched by the quote he shared from Rick Warren, "You never know God is all you need until God is all you've got." Thank you Matt for sharing Emily's life with us and letting it continue to bless others!

I give this book 5 stars! It is a clean read.

I want to thank Matt Patterson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's CFR 16, Part 255.

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My Emily by Matt Patterson May 8, 2012

By Joy E. Dekok

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Recently, thanks to Matt Patterson's book, I got to meet his Emily.

If you read this book, it's likely you will cry. I bawled. But, mostly I celebrated the love of a daddy for his first born daughter. I especially love the way the Pattersons saw their daughter as perfect. She was Emily and that was enough.

As Matt shares Emily's life with readers, through the tears still present long after her journey into eternity is a cadence similar to a song or perhaps a hymn. A praise to God for the joy and grief. Suddenly, this short book about a joy-filled life applied to me and my sorrows. That's the lesson that lingers with me days after finishing the book.

I read it in one day - I meant to enjoy it slowly, but once I got started, I couldn't turn my Kindle off. There will come a time when I'll re-read this story-song. Emily's life will inspire me yet again and remind me of how beautiful the love of an innocent child is. My soul will dance to the gentle rhythm that beats softly in the background. Tears will flow again as I grieve for a Mom and Dad so loved and their little girl.

There's an especially amazing part I will not reveal here - but I do believe Matt experienced two miracles - one in the life of Emily and one in a moment after she was gone. Although I knew something about the second one, when I read it, I was blown away by God's tender mercy. Honestly - what He did for Matt is so like Him.

Emily's Story is more than a memoir; it's a gift.

39 of 40 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this ! September 10, 2012

By Milly

Format:Kindle Edition

I downloaded this some time ago, and have been so wrapped up in what I thought were hurdles I needed to jump in my own life that I hadn't gotten around to reading it - in truth, I didn't fully understand what was patiently waiting behind this cover on my iPad all this time, and boy! what a mistake. This book is so powerful and profoundly moving that I am convinced there will not be a single person on this planet whose heart would not be touched or strings plucked by the lovely and brave Emily and the glorious love surrounding her.

Emily's story is a gift to readers because it will make you consider and appreciate your own life and run to HUG the people you share it with, be it children, parents, partners, friends or pets... Every page is proof that there are so many good and warm hearts in the world and that love is genuinely... endless and priceless.

If you, like me, are a person who gets hooked on the small bumps and grinders in life and haven't truly yet paused to realise that being alive is actually a gift and privilege, then please read this. It is indeed a sad, heart-aching story that no child, parent or anyone for that matter should have to endure... it put tears on my cheeks and a lump in my throat which is still here as I write this, but because other reviewers have mentioned the illnesses and issues in the book already, I'm going to mention the other LAYER TO THIS BOOK ( & this is the reason EVERYONE should read about Emily - by everyone I mean not just people with children or those who are sadly affected by illness) Within these pages is something very rich and magical which I didn't expect to find - I found this story to be INCREDIBLY UPLIFTING and, like me, you might be taken aback by the empowering amount of strength it offers, and the love that pours off each page.

It is short, (& I say this so you don't let time restraints stop you reading it like I did)
What I have written in this review is just words about it... go read the book so that you can FEEL it for yourself.
Emily is an inspiration, an angel. It can't have been easy to write this, but Matt has gifted the world by sharing his family's story.

More About the Author

Matt Patterson is a highly sought-after inspirational speaker, as well as an award-winning and international best-selling author.

His first published work - My Emily - has been an Amazon top-rated best-seller. This debut book has also received recognition as an award winner and finalist in the Readers Favorite Book Reviews & Awards Contest, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, as well as the National Indie Excellence Book Awards.

Matt's background includes 20-plus years in marketing communications, public and media relations, as well as print and broadcast journalism.

In addition to speaking and writing, he volunteers his time to helping organizations and charities dedicated to assisting families with children who have special needs or those battling pediatric cancers.

To learn more about Matt and how you can bring him to speak at your next conference or event, please visit www.my-emily.com or www.mattpatterson.me.