The children's book Missing May (1992) by Cynthia Rylant narrates the story of Summer, an orphan girl whose relatives are reluctant to keep her. She meets a compassionate couple, Uncle Ob and Aunt May, who welcome her into their lives and give her their love and support. Under the guidance of Aunt May and Uncle Ob, Summer explores the joys of gardening and sculpting, learning valuable skills and gaining new experiences.
Sadly, one day, Summer finds Aunt May's lifeless body in the garden. Uncle Ob sinks into sadness and isolation after Aunt May passes away. After a few days, he confides in Summer that he feels May's spirit. Soon, Uncle Ob becomes friends with Cletus Underwood. He is Summer's classmate who says he had a near-death experience. Uncle Ob thinks Cletus can help him connect with the spirit of Aunt May. Cletus recommends Uncle Ob consult a renowned spiritualist so they meet him. Upon arrival, they discover that the spiritualist has passed away, leaving Uncle Ob disheartened.
The following day, Summer notices Uncle Ob's behavior changed. He begins conversing with her once again. Later, Cletus and Summer observe Uncle Ob placing Aunt May's whirligigs in the garden, a symbolic gesture of acceptance and a decision not to pursue Aunt May's spirit. As he moves forward, he chooses to cherish Aunt May's memories while living his life in the now.
The story of Missing May intricately explores loss and grief as Summer and Uncle Ob struggle with the profound changes in their lives since Aunt May passed away. Summer, feeling abandoned, senses Uncle Ob's struggle to find purpose after losing his beloved wife. Their journey of healing begins when they decide to move beyond grief and live their lives while retaining Aunt May's memories. Their love and reminiscence of her create a connection that transcends her physical absence, allowing her influence to continue guiding them in their lives.
