Constantly amazed at her daughter Rachael’s achievements, learning to walk, talk, play, go to school, one of Kristy Eisenberg favorite expressions was “you’re exactly what I want to be when I grow up.”
Rachael thought that was funny ? her mother is obviously already a grown up ? but she was 8 years old before she asked why she said it.
“I’m not done growing up,” she told her daughter. “I’m growing on the inside. I’m still learning about who I am and the kind of person I want to be.”
Kristy loves to write, so her answer inspired a entry in her journal, which in turn inspired a children’s book, “When I Grow Up.”
“I thought it would make a good story for children and adults,? she said. ‘There are so many life lessons a child teaches you. She’s taught me so much. She’s amazing.?
‘I very much like it,? Rachael said. ‘I’m very excited. A lot of people will get to know me. I’m proud of my mom for writing such a good book and for being my mom.?
‘It’s so exciting to finally see it in print,? said Jeff Eisenberg, Kristy’s husband and Rachael’s father. ‘Her whole life is a story. She has a gift to express stories. It’s exciting.”
‘He’s my biggest fan,? Kristy said.
Making the story more inspiring is how Rachael came to be. Kristy knew since she was 14 years old she couldn’t have children, but she could have a child with her husband in vitro, with the help of a surrogate.
‘Rachael was born 18 years to the day I was told I couldn’t have children,? Kristy said. ‘She was meant to be. Everything she does is a life lesson for me. Anything is possible. She’s living proof of that.?
The family is still in contact with the surrogate mother, who Rachael considers an aunt.
The book, published through Authorhouse, is available worldwide through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Target, and other websites.
‘I don’t want to become the next J.K. Rowling, just complete a life goal,? Kristy said.
She was invited to talk to college writing classes, as well as her daughter’s class at Independence Elementary School, an honor for her, she said.
‘I’ve never been asked for my autograph before,? she said.
Kristy and Jeff met at work in Southfield and married in 1995. They moved to Connecticut for work, but came back in 2002 to be closer to family. They now live in Independence Township.
‘I’ve always wanted to move to Clarkston,? Kristy said.
‘I love the small-town feel. I love Main Street. We go to all the parades every year.?
She is writing a series of books based on Irwin the Iceworm, an Alaskan-based cartoon character created by artist Allan Gregg. She wrote captions for Gregg’s ‘Irwin the Iceworm’s Alaska Fun Book.?