Over the telephone, the voice of a little boy carries only his enthusiasm for the subject of the conversation – rocket ships, movies, railroad trains, and the other stuff that boys find fascinating. There is not talk of the doctor reports, the statistics, or the schedule of treatments – just the questions and opinions that blurt forth from the mouth and mind of a little boy like James Birrell.

The photographs will give you hints of his struggle, some more evident than others. But even in the pictures you can spot the obvious signs of a happy kid in love with life as much as he is in love with his family – the sunbeam smile, the cocked engineer’s cap, and the look of satisfaction for a well made snowman. The whole family is there as well: Syd and Pam, Ben and Rebecca. And James.

This book of the emails about James will tell you his story from all 360 degrees of perspective. And yes, some days and nights were so painful that you would not wish them on anyone. But there are other times – magical days and God-given nights of love, beauty, laughter and awe – that will make you wish that you were one of the Birrell family. You will get to know all the Birrells, as well as plenty of people in their community, all of whom have come to know that their lives have been made a bit more special because James has become a part of their hearts.

And even better, these emails will allow you the pleasure of getting to know the little boy behind the cocked engineer’s cap. He’ll find a place in your heart as well. And like all great loves, James will be there forever.

Tom Hanks