Mr. Peters’ Moonlight Lessons: A Journey of Light, Love, and Belonging by Jodye Austin Gaines - HTML preview

CHAPTER 9: Family Looks Many Ways

Cameron sat in his room, looking at a picture on the wall. It showed families—moms, dads, kids, smiling together.

But Cameron’s family looked different. His grandma raised him. His parents weren’t around much.

Sometimes, other kids teased him. “Where’s your mom and dad?” they asked.

Cameron felt sad. He wondered if his family was good enough.

That night, he looked at the Moon. It glowed big and round in the sky.

Suddenly, soft silver light filled the room. It wrapped around him like a blanket.

Cameron floated up, up, up… to the Moon.

When he landed, Mr. Peters stood there with a gentle smile.

“Hello, Cameron,” Mr. Peters said. “You’ve been thinking about family.”

Cameron nodded. “My family looks different,” he said quietly. “Some people don’t understand.”

Mr. Peters pointed to the sky. “See those stars?” he asked. “They’re all different shapes and sizes. But together, they make a beautiful sky.”

Cameron looked up. Some stars were big, some small, but they all shined.

“Families are like that,” Mr. Peters explained. “Some have two parents. Some have one. Some have grandmas, aunties, friends, or neighbors. Love is what makes a family.”

Cameron smiled. His grandma loved him more than anything.

“Your family is special, just the way it is,” Mr. Peters said. “Never forget that.”

The soft silver light wrapped around Cameron.

“Your family is your heart,” Mr. Peters whispered. “No matter how it looks.”

The light carried Cameron back home.

The next day, Cameron drew a picture of his grandma, his cousins, and himself. He smiled.

His family looked different, but it was filled with love.

Affirmation:

“My family is made with love. It’s perfect in its own way.”

“My family is special and filled with love.”

Activity:

Draw a picture of your family — anyone who loves and cares for you, no matter what your family looks like.