Father’s Day: A Journey into the Mind and Heart of My Extraordinary Son

Bissinger’s twin sons, Gerry and Zach, were born three minutes apart, and although both boys were born prematurely, Gerry left the hospital after two months able to breathe on his own; Zach remained in the neonatal intensive care unit, struggling to breathe and to survive. Although Zach never recovered from the brain injuries caused by lack of oxygen, he grew into a lovable man who loves people and who is a savant who memorizes people’s birthdays, features of maps, but who also loves the familiar and the routine structure of his life. Though Bissinger (Friday Night Lights) clearly adores both his sons, he admits to feeling like having run away from Zach, whether out of fear or indifference or feelings of failure. So when Zach turns 24, Bissinger proposes that the two of them set out on the open road and drive across the country. In this wrenchingly honest road tale, Bissinger searches desperately to discover who his son really is as well as to come to terms with his own feelings of inadequacy and insecurity as a parent. Although Zach is at first resistant to making the trip, he acquiesces and provides comfort and wisdom for his father along the way as Bissinger struggles with his GPS, traffic, and other minor inconveniences over which he often loses patience. In the end, he movingly fears for Zach’s future and still sheds a tear for him every day, and he touchingly concludes that Zach is the most fearless man he has ever known, and the most admirable. (May)