100 Days of Sunlight summary

Emotional Journey of Tessa

In 100 Days of Sunlight by Abbie Emmons, we embark on an emotional journey with Tessa, a young poetry blogger who loses her eyesight after a car accident. The story begins with Tessa's struggle to adapt to her new reality, feeling trapped in a world of darkness. Her family and friends, while supportive, struggle to understand her despair, and Tessa, in turn, pushes them away.

Tessa's grandparents, noticing her isolation, place an ad in the local newspaper seeking a typist to help her continue her blog. This is where Weston, a boy with no legs, enters her life. Despite his optimism and willingness to help, Tessa initially rejects Weston, unable to see past her own pain. Weston, however, is undeterred and makes it his mission to show Tessa that life can still be beautiful.

Weston's Unorthodox Approach

Weston, in an unorthodox move, takes Tessa on a 100-day journey of writing, where he becomes her eyes and shows her the world through his descriptions. He introduces her to the warmth of the sunshine, the tranquility of the rain, and the beauty of the stars. He encourages Tessa to experience the world using her other senses, like touch, smell, and sound, and helps her realize that there is more to life than what meets the eye.

As Tessa reluctantly starts to open up to Weston's perspective, she begins to see the world in a new light. Her writing, initially filled with darkness and despair, starts to reflect a newfound hope and appreciation for life. Tessa's relationship with Weston evolves from one of hostility to a deep and meaningful friendship, and she starts to rely on him as her emotional support.

Embracing the Light

As the 100 days draw to a close, Tessa's eyesight starts to return. However, instead of feeling elated, she becomes terrified. She fears that with her vision back, she will lose the new perspective she has gained. Her fear is compounded by the fact that she still doesn't know what Weston looks like, as he has been careful to keep himself out of her sight.

Weston's fear of rejection due to his disability is the reason he has kept himself hidden. However, as Tessa's vision returns, he realizes that he cannot continue to hide. He makes the decision to reveal himself to Tessa, and in doing so, he takes a leap of faith, trusting that she will accept him for who he is.

Love and Acceptance

When Tessa finally sees Weston, she is initially shocked, but her reaction is one of acceptance, not rejection. She sees beyond his physical appearance and recognizes the person he is. Tessa's 100 days of darkness have transformed her into a person who can see the light, not just with her eyes, but with her heart.

As the story concludes, Tessa and Weston's relationship blossoms into a beautiful love story, built on acceptance, understanding, and the ability to see beyond the surface. Tessa's journey from despair to hope, from darkness to light, is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and the power of love and acceptance.