See Wonder, because some of us have kids like Auggie.

Real talk you guys, the world is bananas and I am on the verge of a break down. I’ve been accused of being too sensitive, but like, we can all agree that stuff is extra this year right? I over feel all the things and while I’ve come to see that it has it’s advantages, it also makes living in 2017 a bit of a nightmare. And just when I thought there might not be a light at the end of the tunnel, I saw the trailer for Wonder.

“Based on the New York Times bestseller, WONDER tells the inspiring and heartwarming story of August Pullman.  Born with facial differences that, up until now, have prevented him from going to a mainstream school, Auggie becomes the most unlikely of heroes when he enters the local fifth grade.  As his family, his new classmates, and the larger community all struggle to find their compassion and acceptance, Auggie’s extraordinary journey will unite them all and prove you can’t blend in when you were born to stand out.”

I took my daughter to the premiere of Wonder earlier this week and I finally feel like I can breathe again.  Like, if this is a book that exists, and is doing well, and they made into a movie, maybe not all is lost.  Dramatic? Maybe.  It wouldn’t be the first time I was accused of that either. In all seriousness, to sit in a theater full of Hollywood elite and watch a movie about a little boy with a facial difference, and watch the message resonate with them gave me hope in the form of chills.

House rules is you have to read the book before you see the movie. Because my kids have an epic 5th grade teacher, Wonder was actually an assigned book in my kid’s 5th grade class. My daughter read it last year and my son is reading it before his class assignment in preparation for going to the theater during Thanksgiving break.  He says he is excited to read it again. America, make it your homework to read this book. We are collectively failing at being good humans, this might inspire us to do better.

Below are some of our favorite photos from the premiere and also our favorite lines from the book…..

“It’s not enough to be friendly. You have to be a friend.”

“Learning who you are is what you’re here to do.”

“It’s what you’ve done with your time, how you’ve chosen to spend your days, and whom you’ve touched this year. That, to me, is the greatest measure of success.”

“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”

If you have have been a reader here for any amount of time, you know one of our kiddos was born with (among other things) a facial difference.  In the six years since she joined our family, we’ve had some colorful things said by both adults and children.  While her cleft may not be a difference that is quite as pronounced as Auggie’s, it is still the first thing people see when they meet her. That’s not an easy way to live life as a mom. It’s something I can only assume will get more difficult for my daughter year after year. Quite simply, the message in Wonder just gave me hope for her and other people like her. I’m begging you as a mom of kid that stands out, please go see this movie.

Our favorite line from the movie (and the book) is from the world’s coolest fictional teacher that we all want to be when we grow up…

“WHEN GIVEN THE CHOICE BETWEEN BEING RIGHT OR BEING KIND, CHOOSE KIND.”

In addition to all the ”maybe we will survive this weird, mean chapter in history” feels, there was also this moment.  Daveed Diggs plays Mr. Browne in the film.  My daughter, the theater nerd that she is (bless) noticed that Thomas Jefferson was in the house and could not deal.  We waited for Daveed to exit the theater (we had missed him on the carpet somehow) and she walked right up to him and let him know that she was a big fan and asked for a photo. As we walked away I said I never would have been so brave.  She responded “I didn’t feel brave, I just pretended to be brave. I am glad I did because it was nice to meet him.”  I’m just gonna call it now; I’m raising a girl that is gonna do great things.

Thank you to Lionsgate for hosting us and giving us the opportunity to walk the red carpet. Wonder opened in theaters this week and I want to encourage everyone to go see it! I will be in the theaters with my whole family. Tickets are on sale NOW for families and friends who want to celebrate the radical idea of choosing kindness. Skip the ticket lines AND purchasing your tickets from Fandango today! Check out the trailer below!