Robert Munsch

If you want to hear a touching story, check out yesterday's interview with Robert Munsch on CBC radio's The Next Chapter. Like many parents and grandparents, I've been a Robert Munsch fan for a long time. His books hold a special place in our family library. 

In the 1980's we lived in Brampton. That's where our three children were born. Maybe it was in 1987 that we attended a reading by Robert Munsch, at the Four Corners branch of the Brampton Public Library. It was just a small group of young families. Lucky us! 

There's the image of Munsch as a hilarious guy, a writer who really relates well to kids. His books are just plain fun. Then there's the profound Munsch, the guy who wrote Love You Forever, as a tribute to his two stillborn children. On his official website you can read about his childhood and his journey to becoming a writer. It's not a straightforward story; there were a lot of detours along the way. 

While he has enjoyed enormous success as a children's author, he also reveals on his site that he has mental health and addiction challenges. In yesterday's rare interview, he bravely shared his latest diagnosis - he has dementia. "I kind of thought I would like to do this interview as a last hurrah."  

I am full of admiration for this man. What a brave person, to bare his soul and tell the country about his current condition. There is no pretence here, just the bare facts. In a world where many are happy to share only the best parts of their lives, their happiest days,  here is an honest man who plainly states, "I have dementia."  This gifted storyteller is now unable to do what has given him so much pleasure - to tell stories to groups of children. 

While his books will be treasured all over the world, for years to come, I hope that many will also be inspired by the example of his life. In spite of many difficulties he  persevered. He has succeeded in his profession (80 million books sold in North America) and he has brought enjoyment and happiness to families the world over. Robert Munsch, we will Love You Forever.