A Sympathy Card from God and a Book Review

An inspiring read-aloud for your whole family, Giorgio’s Miracle was also a sympathy card from God to Tami Kiser.

At the end of July, our farmer neighbor called my husband and asked if we wanted a baby donkey. It seemed that the mother had totally abandoned this little “Jack,” and the poor thing was found alone in the field. The farmer’s teen grandson had been trying to feed and take care of the baby donkey, but the need for constant care was too much for him. Would we like to try? 

My heart immediately swelled. Would I ever.

We had been planning at some time in the future to have donkeys, and even bought many books on the subject. We loved this type of donkey that my neighbor had because it has a black cross on its back. This, of course, goes back to a legend of how a gray donkey tried to find Jesus after carrying him to Jerusalem and found Our Lord on the cross. As the donkey turned sadly to walk away, the shadow of the cross was cast onto its back -- and there it stayed. 

When we received Jack he seemed in good shape for only 24 hours old, but I guess many farm animals are born with that ability to be able to walk. We had our “donkey formula” and between myself, husband, and two of our kids, we had a nursing schedule going around the clock. After a day and night of successful feeding, we thought we were making headway. And like a family with a newborn baby, we were all exhausted and filled with joy. We knew from our studies that donkeys are extremely social animals, so we were trying to fill that void for Jack with our own presence and that of our dogs, too. He seemed to lack nothing, except a real donkey mom. 

The following day, however, he quit eating. We went back to the farm store to try a new nipple. By nightfall, he was so weak he couldn’t stand. We tried to call a vet, but no one was available. I tried feeding him slowly with a straw into the night, hoping by morning we could take him to the vet. By midnight, baby Jack died with his head on my lap. 

We all cried. 

We had a little ceremony for him and buried him in the backyard. It was like mourning the death of a beloved pet, even though we only had him for a couple of days. There was just something so endearing about this poor abandoned donkey. Some speculate that his mother knew there was something wrong with him and that is why she left him to die. Others suggest that he needed his mother’s colostrum in those first 24 hours in order to protect his stomach. Whatever the reason, it was meant to be. I tell my daughter that maybe God wanted us there to accompany this donkey with love in his short little life. 

A couple of days later, after the sadness in the home started to subside, we received a book in the mail: Giorgio’s Miracle by Laurie Schmitt, illustrated by Kathryn Coyle. It was totally unsolicited. It was from Marian Press, asking for a book review or blog interview. I couldn’t help but shed a tear when I saw the cover. The illustrator captures in this boy’s hug a true love and affection for his donkey. What a strange coincidence. Or should I say God-incidence?

It did really feel like a little sympathy card from God. 

I gave it to my daughter to read. However upon looking at it more closely, the reading level was much too hard for her. She is eight. So I added the book to our next read-aloud. 

Had I not had that experience with my donkey, I might never have bothered to read this book. But I am so glad that I did. The language is very descriptive and beautiful. It takes you back toTurin, a medieval village in Italy. You meet a faithful boy, Giorgio, who carries out his daily chores with his best friend, Franca, his donkey. The boy’s father and actually the whole village, had lost faith in God. 

Throughout the course of the book, you experience not only life during this historical period, but life at a time when faith and culture were one. The Angelus bell rings everyday for all to stop and pray. The town church is central to the town square. Everyone goes to the priest whenever there is a problem. If your child is studying medieval life in history, this would be a great literary supplement. I also love that Giorgo had a great prayer and faith life as a young boy. He made an excellent role model for all of us. 

Although the story seems a little slow at the beginning, by the end, you’re anxious to see what’s going to happen next as you're guessing at what the “Miracle” will be.

The perfect chapter book to read before bed, right after saying prayers, for its uplifting message and faith-filled examples. #catholicmom

Giorgio's Miracle is good for middle-schoolers to read on their own, but I highly recommend that it become your next read-aloud. It makes the perfect chapter book to read before bed, right after saying prayers, for its uplifting message and faith-filled examples.

Copyright 2020 Tami Kiser
Images copyright 2020 Tami Kiser. All rights reserved.