Weekend Writing: Reviewing Karen Kingsbury's "Summer"

"They stayed that way for what felt like ten minutes, clinging to each other and to every hope and dream they shared for their daughter. Because the moment they let go, they'd have to take the next steps beyond the examination room door. The doctor would either give them news that would confirm the results they'd seen with their own eyes, that their little girl was whole and healthy, or she would give them the results they dreaded. Results that could change their lives forever." - Karen Kingsbury, "Summer" 

It was supposed to be the best summer ever for the Baxter family in Karen Kingsbury's novel, Summer, the second book in the Sunrise series (a continuation of Kingsbury's Baxter Family series). I have shared reviews about previous books in the series, and this novel was one of the best books yet. 

Karen Kingsbury's Sunrise series (photo/Amazon.com).

The family's oldest son, Dayne, had just married his sweet, compassionate Christian Kids Theater director bride, Katy Hart. They're preparing to film their first movie together, and they believe everything will be fine. Their marriage will be able to sustain the pressure of the Hollywood spotlight and paparazzi. Nothing can come between them. At least, that's what they hope will happen, but rumors spread on their movie set. Tensions rise, and the cameras are always there to film the drama. Will Dayne and Katy's marriage survive? 

Meanwhile, Kari Baxter Taylor and Ashley Baxter Blake are both pregnant with daughters, and the entire Baxter family can't wait to see the cousins grow up together. The cousins will be born just a few weeks apart and they'll be best friends. They'll be in the same grades at school, have the same circle of friends, and they'll be as close as sisters. Everything is perfect. 

That's until an ultrasound reveals Ashley's baby has anencephaly, a rare condition in which her neural tube in the spine didn't naturally close up during development. The baby will be born with a neural tube defect, and her brain will essentially grow outside her head. Because of this, Ashley's baby girl will die shortly after birth. 

The entire Baxter family is devastated by the news. They pray for a miracle, but Brooke Baxter West offers a medical opinion: get an abortion. She knows Ashley and her husband, Landon, will be heartbroken after giving birth to their daughter, and then only to watch her die within a few hours. A quick abortion would solve the problem. 

Because Kingsbury is a Christian fiction author, and the Baxter family lean on God for everything in their lives, Brooke's suggestion doesn't sit well with the family. It drives a wedge between Ashley and Brooke. Her older sister was offering advice from a doctor's perspective, but Ashley knows she could never abort her baby. Even if her baby only lives for 10 minutes, that's long enough. Ashley and Landon couldn't make that decision to end their child's life. It was up to God. 

"Life is God's to give, God's to take. Whether this lasts a few minutes or a few decades. Eight hours or eighty years." - Karen Kingsbury, "Summer"

Karen Kingsbury's Summer. 

My heart broke for Ashley and Landon while reading the book. Ashley is my favorite Baxter family member, so it was difficult to read her experiencing something a parent should never have to go through. But I was inspired by Ashley's bravery and commitment to believing God has a miracle for her baby, little Sarah. God is using her baby for some purpose, even if she won't live for very long. Her birth is meaningful. 

"She seemed to hold on another few heartbeats, and in Sarah's eyes was all the love that would last Ashley a lifetime. They told Ashley thank you...thank you for giving her life and thank you for giving her love. And finally, they told her good-bye." - Karen Kingsbury, "Summer" 

Throughout the novel, I was drawn to Ashley's story. However, there was a particular passage that stood out to me--especially now. A subplot of the book focuses on the Flanigan family. Basically modeled after Kingsbury's family, the Flanigans are a strong, stable family in the Bloomington, Indiana community. They also look a little different than other families. For one thing, the Flanigans have three birth children and three adopted sons from Haiti. When people look at the Flanigans, they can spot the racial and cultural differences. 

One day, Baxter family patriarch John Baxter is walking with his girlfriend, Elaine Denning. They see the Flanigans playing in the playground and John gazes at them. The boys were laughing and it was a scene John will always remember. 

"John and Elaine stopped and watched for a few minutes. Three of the boys were black, and Ricky--the youngest--was white. But as the kids ran and played and yelled for the ball, there wasn't a difference between any of them. They were kids, all of them. Created by God and perfect in His sight." - Karen Kingsbury, "Summer" 

When I read this passage in June, I had to stop reading. I said, "Wow." I read the passage at the same time the U.S. was battling a social and racial prejudice war with each other. The news focused on the violent protests. The Black Lives Matter movement was a hot topic for everyone, and it still is as I write this blog post. 

Kingsbury wrote the passage in 2007 and it is just as relevant now in 2020. We still need to learn and realize that everyone, regardless of their skin color, is perfect in God's sight. We are perfect because God made us His own way. Children recognize this. Children, like the Flanigan boys, don't see someone's color as a reason to inspire hatred. They don't care. They just want someone to play with. 

Let's be more like children. Let's be more like the Flanigan boys, who didn't see any difference between them. Let's play together--all of us. 

I needed to read this passage, and just like always, Kingsbury always delivers life-changing, inspirational messages for us to consider. She provides insightful words that bring us back to God. Ashley Baxter Blake needed God in her lowest point of her life, and He provided. He didn't save her child, but He created Sarah--perfect little Sarah--for a purpose Ashley will soon understand. He was there for Ashley, just like God is with us right now. 

I'm thankful Kingsbury reminded me of this in the book. I look forward to reading the continuation of this series. If it's anything like Summer, I will have plenty of new things to learn. Until next time...

Read on.

-KJL-