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The Christmas Kite Journey
by Gail Gaymer Martin
A number of years ago I wrote a poem for my niece called The Kite Flyers. The poem was an analogy about how a love relationship compares to flying a kite. If a kite is held too tightly the wind can break the string and if it is held too loosely it can fly away. This same give and take is the secret of love. Both people must learn to give and take with the wind of life so they can be independent yet together in their relationship.
I stumbled on the poem one day and thought about writing a novel depicting a relationship that must learn to bend and move with the wind of life. The kite idea caused me to think about a man who creates beautiful Japanese-style kites sold more as artwork than toys, but he also owns a traditional kite shop. I used the setting of Mackinaw City at the tip of Michigan’s mitten since that is a location where kite flying is popular. I wanted a child to be drawn to the kite, a child that would make a difference in this man’s life. I decided to create a child with a disability, and I chose Down Syndrome. This took tremendous research, not only learning about the medical aspects but also interviewing families who have children with this disability.
The man needed to be a character with his own issues so I decided to create a reclusive man who has turned his back on life because of his own tragedies. I was intrigued by the paradox of a man who puts up a trespassing sign yet builds kites that children love.
The child’s mother who is a widow was also disowned by her wealthy husband’s family because the only child she bore, now heir to the family fortune, is little Mac, the eight year old with Down’s Syndrome. The setting, the story, the characters touched me as I wrote this book, and it has also touched readers since my mail has been amazing. I am thrilled to have written this book and I can only hope that I help readers understand the tremendous love and joy that a child with Down Syndrome has to offer the world.
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