This book is based on the true story of Jonathan Ned Cole, a deaf adopted son of Mary Carol Cole and Ned M. Cole. Much of the story is factual, depicting Jon's rather tragic life. However, some elements concerning his biological parents are products of my imagination, as Jon never knew who they were. Other parts have been dramatized to better portray Jon's experience as a black, deaf boy raised in an all-white family. The final chapter delves into Jon's imagined time in heaven, which serves as a means for me to cope with the grief of his loss.
The story is narrated in the first person as if Jon himself were recounting his life. Some of Jon's anecdotes may elicit laughter, while others will bring tears to your eyes. Through Jon's storytelling, you will discover that deafness is a burden far greater than being a black person in predominantly white America.
This story is a testament to the author's struggle over many years to find the words that would adequately convey the extraordinary silence Jon lived
with throughout his short 26 years of life. It explores the joy of living as well as the profound grief experienced by a family when they lose a child prematurely. Ultimately, this story is about hope. According to Jon, his "real" parents conceived him in Melbourne, Florida.