Twinkle Wanted More Than A Cape

My son co- wrote, “Twinkle wanted more than a cape.” He talks a lot about how he feels through art, play therapy and stories. You can really understand how a child feels by using Art therapy and allowing them to use their imagination to create a story. Most importantly allowing yourself to hear their creative story which can be a feeling or an incident. When we learn that children are still learning expression we learned to listen in all forms. Non- verbal communication can say a lot if you tune in and tap in. I am personally one who is keenly attuned to so many aspects of natural language signals. I can read reluctance, willingness and commitment. Yet, I too had to ask my self was I listening from a child’s view. We as parents have to remember that our children are tuning in as well. There is always room to grow by listening and sometimes our children teach us those life lessons just by their imagination. This story unfolded while on a simple car ride to school. In the midst of listening to my son using his imagination and telling me a story as I played along, I noticed his story wasn't just about a dog. His story was about family and loss. In his story, I noticed that he was more aware of divorce and separation than I realized. Tristan yearned for togetherness between the new families that were made after divorce. Divorce and loss can make it very hard to have a cohesive relationship. Not all families will experience life the way we have. Your story will be written differently. The purpose of this book is to show how life is reflected from the lens of the ones who have the least amount of control, the children. The story helps us to realize that we the adults can re-write the story for our children. In addition, I wanted to add colorful characters. With colorism being an issue within communities. Being biracial was deeper than just the label for me as a child. I felt compelled to address the assumptions with my personal spiritual outlook. I HOPE YOU’RE ABLE TO READ the book from a non-judgmental disposition. I want anyone of any belief system to know that I love you and I command compassion for others from myself. One thing I took from my son’s story is we can all love a little stronger and do a little better. We all could listen a little better and a little more. So whenever our children tell us a story we have to do just that, listen. It’s their creations that tell the story of their life. Most importantly work on improving your own empathy by consistently re- evaluating yourself, listening with both ears and your heart. I believe we are forever learners, forever growing, self-actualizing, and dissociating from the bad habits that make us digress from where we want to be. I have decided on new habits! I hope you love the book. ~ Stephanie