It has been said that “big things can come in small packages.” “Inside Suzie” is a small, yet powerful book that provides strong and clear evidence in support of this expression.
“Inside Suzie” is a story about a young, severely disabled girl, Suzie, and the special gift she shares with others. The author, Ginny Pettit, is Suzie’s mother, and Joey Pettit, Suzie’s sister, provided the wonderful illustrations for this book.
Ginny describes her book as “an imaginative story about the inner feelings of a beautiful, severely handicapped little girl named Suzie.” Suzie has a difficult time communicating her feelings with others and managing common daily experiences.
However, Ginny offers that Suzie has been given a very special gift, the gift of love and her spirit is “filled with patience and joy.”
It seems that Suzie, though unable to speak, was able to express herself through facial expressions, body language and “gleeful squeals of excitement” and that most often this communication delivered a sense of kindness, compassion and love to all who knew her.
“There was one thing Suzie could do very well, better than almost anyone else. Suzie could give love. She always greeted those she knew and even strangers with a big smile,” Ginny said in a 2019 interview with The Catholic Messenger.
While reading this book, I recalled a personal experience as to the gift of love. Several years ago, our son was in the hospital in a deep coma. The initial prognosis was that he may not live. My wife and I took turns spending time at our son’s bedside in prayer and when one of us took a short break, we walked the halls of the hospital. During our walk, we
would be greeted with a kind smile and a few simple words of encouragement by a man named Gus.
Gus, a small, seemingly quiet man, was a custodian for the hospital and many wouldn’t expect him to be able to directly provide what we needed. However, Gus, with few words, a simple smile and gentle nod, gave us the best gift one could ever need, the gift of love. Thanks be to God for placing Gus in our presence and for his gift of love. Our son, by God’s grace survived and recovered. Gus’s love helped strengthen our faith and touched our lives forever.
Acknowledging another’s existence, giving a warm smile, and showing compassion make up a small package for the gift of love. And, giving this small gift to others delivers “big things.”
“Inside Suzie” is a reminder of how small acts of kindness can make a big difference, and I am confident that Ginny’s hope for the book to serve as a source of comfort and encouragement to parents, grandparents, family and friends of special needs will come true.
John H. Dolezal is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.