Fly a Little Higher Blog Tour

I want to talk to you about the book I'm reading right now. Because it's beautiful and inspiring...and I truly think you would all love it.

There is absolutely nothing more inspiring to me than people using scary and heartbreaking times to help and lift up others.

And that's exactly what Zach Sobiech did. In the middle of the scariest time of his life (a battle with osteosarcoma) this amazing teen wrote an uplifting and encouraging song that eventually hit #1 on iTunes.

My girls and I watched Zach's video the day he passed away and he impacted each of us in a profound way. He lived fully and without hesitation. And he touched me in a way I'll never forget. When I was asked to read the book and share a bit about it...I said yes without hesitation.

Fly a Little higher is a testament of God's grace and a mother's fierce and undying love. And I can't lie. It's both breaking my heart and lifting me up at the same time. I've pretty much read the entire thing with tears on my cheeks but with a smile on my face.

Here's a bit about the book:

Okay, Lord, you can have him. But if he must die, I want it to be for something big. I want someone's life to be changed forever."

This is what Laura Sobiech prayed when she found out her seventeen-year-old son had only one year to live. With this desperate prayer, she released her son to God's will.

At that point, Zach Sobiech was just another teenager battling cancer. When his mother told him to think about writing good-bye letters to family and friends, he decided instead to write songs. One of them, "Clouds," captured hearts and changed not one life but millions, making him an international sensation.

But Zach's story is not just about music. It's a testament to what can happen when you live as if each day might be your last. It's a story about the human spirit. It's about how God used a dying boy from a small town in Minnesota to touch the hearts of millions—including top executives in the music industry, major music artists, news anchors, talk show hosts, actors, priests and pastors, and school children across the globe.

Zach once said, "I want to be known as the kid who went down fighting, and didn't really lose." Fly a Little Higher is about how God used Zach to do something big.

Fly a Little Higher is written by Laura Sobiech, the mother of Zach Sobiech. Laura spent the last three years walking the road of cancer with her teenage son, Zach, and blogging about their battle with the disease. Zach wrote the song “Clouds” which hit #1 on iTunes the same week he passed away in May 2013.

Grab your copy HERE.

This post is part of the Fly a Little Higher Blog Tour which I am delighted to be a part of along with hundreds of bloggers raising awareness and giving hope to those with cancer. To learn more and join us, CLICK HERE!

 

xoxo

S

Comments

[Linda E]

Thanks for sharing this truly inspiring story, Stephanie.

[dana a.]

wow, what a great story and inspiration to us all
! thanks for sharing...off to find the song.

[Jenni Hufford]

WOW. thank you for sharing this. what an amazing story of faith!

[Kimberly]

Ok. So I just spent the last hour watching the Clouds video and both of the Soul Pancake mini documentaries about Zach. I laughed, I cried (a lot), and I feel in love with his spirit, story and the people he was closest to. What a great story, amazing young man, and outlook on life. I'll definitely be reading the book. Thank you for sharing and urging me not to miss out on this touching and very special story and message!!!

[Jody]

Thanks for sharing this Steph, I know of Zach's story and his beautiful song and agree with everything you wrote. It is very raw for me as osteosarcoma is the cancer my daughter Ryann has battled 3x in her young life. The more people who become aware of this extraordinary young man and this horrific cancer that kills so many children, the better. Love you!

[tara pakosta]

I remember seeing a video of him and his family and was so touched, he's such a beautiful spirit. Thanks for sharing STeph, cancer is just an awful disease and it's hurting and killing so many people. We need to find not just cures, but causes and make severe changes. love to you my friend.
tara

[Melanie]

I remember writing a post about Zach last year. What an amazing human being and an amazing family. Can't wait to read this book.

[sam]

<3 love

[CJ]

Such bravery and inspiration. Such strength and love. So very moving.

[Jean]

Ok, feeling chills now. The Sobiech's live very close to us and they are good family friends with my boss. We followed Zach's story closely and I had the pleasure of seeing him sing live. Very inspirational. I've been following your blog as a scrapbooker for awhile now but I also had the pleasure to live in Vicenza for 5 years almost 10 years ago and it's been so much fun seeing it thru your eyes. Seeing you post Zach's story today gave me the "small world" feeling all over again!

[Deborah Bonner]

I can't watch anything like that at the moment...just too emotional. Will get there eventually. We have a teenager in England at the moment whose story has gone viral on FB. He has cancer and is an absolute inspiration for humankind. He is trying to raise money for charity. He raised two million pounds in about a week with his story. That is just one of the things he has done. Maybe you have heard of it...it is entitled Stephen's Story. What we can learn from these selfless, driven and inspirational angels on earth....

[Jennifer]

Zach's story. It makes me cry every time. Love "Clouds".

[Karin]

Living in Minnesota I saw Zach's story on the news. I found the "Clouds" choir they put together very touching. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLhUS_QjcZY