Promise Me, Dad: A Year of Hope, Hardship, and Purpose by Vice President Joe Biden is a book about a father’s heart for his family. As someone who enjoys both politics and history, anytime a former President or Vice President writes a book, I want to read it. The nation watched Joe Biden many years ago when his young wife and daughter were killed in a car accident. Vice President Biden and his sons Beau and Hunter survived the crash, but obviously had their own wounds. Biden married his wife Jill a few years later and they had a daughter named Ashley. As you read in the book, the Biden family was very close….by design.
When Senator Biden became Vice President Biden obviously a lot changed for his family. Some of that was very good, but some was difficult because it took away some of the freedoms they had enjoyed to be able to go and do things as a family together. This was taken to a whole new level when Biden’s son Beau was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The book takes you through a lot of the medical information related to Beau’s struggles alongside a timeline of world events that were taking place. Biden’s role meant that he often represented the President in situations where people needed to be comforted. Because of that experience, Biden had great compassion for people to go with his deep love and appreciation of family.
There are several things that Vice President Biden thinks differently about than I do, but it was a gift to be able to read this book and see his father’s heart for his son and his family. When his son passed away, Biden journaled a lot of his thoughts during that time and I know that would be such an encouragement to other people walking that journey. My favorite quote of the book was something I hope to be known for…
“So I try to be mindful, at all times, of what a difference a small human gesture can make to people in need. What does it really cost to take a moment to look someone in the eye, to give him a hug, to let her know, I get it. You’re not alone?” Location: 641