I Wish You More is a children’s book written and illustrated by creators Amy Rosenthal and Lichtenheld.
Macy’s mother gave her the book as a parting gift before Macy left for her freshman year of college in the fall of 2022. Her mother included a handwritten note on the inside of the cover, wishing her “an endless amount of love, laughter, happiness, and good health.”
This book is a constant reminder that even from far away, her mom is always cheering her on, loves her, and supports her. I Wish You More also reminds Macy of how much she has grown from that first day of college.
Listen to Macy’s story in her own words:
This object is part of the “Transitions” section of the Artifacts of Experience exhibition designed by University of Cincinnati students in the “Introduction to Public History” course in 2023.
We encourage you to explore the other objects in our collection.
Transcript
Ilana Darr [ID]: Hi Macy.
Macy Roddy [MR]: Hi, Ilana.
[ID]: All right my first question for you is, why did you choose your object?
[MR]: I chose the book I wish you more gifted by my mom because it serves as a reminder me that even from afar my mom is cheering me on, and she wishes the best for me and hopes I wish these things for myself as well. She wrote a note on the inside of the book that I often reread.
[ID]: And what does this book mean to you specifically?
[MR]: It means the the that I feel loved and supported.
[ID]: And when you look at the object, what memories does it like? What memories does it bring up?
[MR]: When I look at this object, I feel safe, secure and optimistic in my hopes for my future and then the memories it conjures for me is all the nervous feelings. I have felt the day I moved into college, which is when I received this gift. I use this as a reminder that I’m okay and to reflect on how much I’ve grown since receiving this gift.
[ID]: Thank you!
[MR]: Yup!
