Children often ask big questions: “Why is the sky blue? Where does the wind come from? How do I know if God is real if I can’t see him?”
Heidi McCormack shares “Marion, Faith & Ice Cream” with her grandchildren. Her first children’s book was inspired by her granddaughter’s questions about God and explores how children can recognize God’s presence in the world around them. (Submitted photo)
Little 8-year-old Marianne often asks such questions, and her grandmother, Heidi McCormack, listens. She recently published her first book, “Marion, Faith & Ice Cream,” inspired by her granddaughter’s questions about God.
McCormack, a member of St. John Vianney Parish, Brookfield, said grandparenting offers a different perspective from parenting.
“As a parent, the day-to-day duties and responsibilities are so all-encompassing that you often feel like you’re deep in the trenches,” she said. “But as a grandparent, you find you have a broader view of what really matters; you’ve experienced more of life. And while we’d love to share and teach our ‘littles’ every life lesson we’ve learned along the way, it becomes clear that none are more important than developing your relationship with God and having faith.”
The book, geared toward children ages 3-7, follows McCormack’s daughter, Maria, her son-in-law, Will, and their four children: Marianne, Emilia, Jane and John. Like Marion, Marianne loves eagles, ice cream, her family and the beaches of Door County.
“Children are so much more sensory-focused than intuitive, so it was important to me to connect the faith to something they can observe in everyday life,” McCormack explained. “Children can understand the unseen concepts of air and wind, so drawing the connection gives them a tangible vehicle for believing, rather than simply a spiritual one.”
Beyond the name changes, the book draws on the family’s experiences, including the father’s scientific background.
“My son-in-law is a medical doctor and a very faith-filled father,” said McCormack. “I have noticed that he often uses science-based explanations to teach everyday lessons, and that kids love proof.”
Born in Chicago, McCormack was raised Catholic. She attended public schools until enrolling at Loyola University, where her faith deepened and she met her future husband, David.
Recently retired as the human resources manager at Marquette University High School, McCormack enjoyed watching high school boys grow from awkward 14-year-olds into admirable 18-year-old men.
“I wish every mom could witness the moments at Mass, where a sincere ‘peace be with you’ and a hug are exchanged between the football star, the science geek and the theater guy. It is very moving,” she said.
McCormack’s own faith continued to grow and solidify throughout her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease. As her memory began to slip away, she could communicate only through grunts or gibberish. At 88, she succumbed to the disease that robbed her of her mind.
“Marion, Faith & Ice Cream” book cover (Submitted photo)
“As the days went on, while I began to lose more and more of the human Mom I had known, I felt a stronger sense of being with her soul. It seemed to surround her, and when with her, I felt in the presence of something highly spiritual,” explained McCormack. “She grew up in Germany and never spoke much about her faith, but a couple of days before she passed, while nonverbal and an English speaker for 60-plus years, she blurted out, ‘Die Himmelpforten öffnen sich,’ to my Dad and me. This means ‘the gates of heaven are opening.’ The assurance and the peace this gave us confirmed for me that there is so much more to this life than what we can physically see.”
McCormack’s book has received a five-star review and the Gold Book Seal from Literary Titan, along with excellent feedback from parents and grandparents.
“They have shared with me anecdotes about how often their littles say ‘again, again’ after they read it to them. This is the highest compliment,” she said. “Someone sent me a video of 2-year-old Josie turning the pages one by one and recounting the story, in the way only a 2-year-old who has read the book many times can.”
“I hope my book opens a child’s eyes to see God’s hand in everything all around us,” she said. “From his presence in the feeling of love that families share to something as simple as a cool breeze on a warm day. He is everywhere.”
“Marion, Faith & Ice Cream” is available through Amazon and other booksellers.
