Parenting brings a world of joy and challenge. Raising a special needs child only magnifies the highs and lows that all parents experience. This beautiful collection of essays spotlights and celebrates the unique perspective differently abled children offer all who love and care for them.

Eileen Flood O'Connor, whose oldest child has an autism spectrum disorder, pens an anthology of essays that detail the many ways her daughter has given her family a new outlook on everything from grocery shopping to grieving a grandparent - or beloved service dog. O'Connor brings honesty, humor and deep wells of gratitude to her stories about raising a special needs child alongside three younger brothers.

"These delicately woven essays tell the story of a mother and daughter gently guiding each other - and us - to seek out joy and wonder everywhere. Their family's story is exactly the gift we need right now," writes Annabel Monaghan, USA bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script.

eating pizza backwards and other adventures ... a mom, a daughter, a life unexpected is for anyone who has ever been thrown a curveball and looking to find a silver lining or two.