Don't Judge a Book by it's Cover

My grandmother raised me to never judge a book by its cover. This sentiment seems to come full circle every so often and acts as a reminder as to what is truly important in life.

For example, the recent main stream love affair with Susan Boyle from Britain's Got Talent has caused a world to come face-to-face with this old adage once again. By looking at Susan, you would think she was just a normal middle-age woman with not spectacular talent or gifts to give this world. Yet, when she is done serenading the world with rendition of opera classic, the world cannot help but stand there with its jaw on the floor. Susan Boyle's book cover is nothing special and can easily be ignored but when you open that book you better get a box of tissues because your heart will flood with emotions never felt before.

Listening to Susan Boyle made chime my grandmother's old saying once again and caused me to look at those times in my life where the book cover was hardly worth a second look but once the book was cracked, it was difficult to put down.

That leads me to my husband of 10 years. He is not only my knight in shining armor and best friend but the strongest person I have ever had the pleasure of having in my life. His book cover says demonstrates nothing special - just a normal guy that goes to work every day and makes a living. Beneath the cover is a man that survived a childhood terminal illness called Cystic Fibrosis, watched his older sister pass from that very disease at the age of 16, was picked on throughout childhood for being "different" and geeky, was deathly ill for years and even on life support for 9 months of his young adult life and lastly, but most importantly, survived a 3.5-year wait for a double lung transplant while struggling for air each and every day.

On the cover, he is like everyone else. Just look under the cover, no deeper than under his shirt, and you will see there is a powerful book just waiting to be read. The strength and determination - the will the live and experience life - the will to never give up - and, most importantly, the will to love and experience being loved.

So, next time you see someone's book cover and think you already know how the story reads, give yourself a chance to read deeper for you never know what you may find hidden behind that non-descriptive cover. That person may be the book that changes your life!