In 1949, a son was born to Edna and Russell Peak. They were told he was "a mongoloid" and to put him in an institution, but they refused and took him home to raise, naming him David. Mongolism was a mystery when David was born and would not be discovered as Down Syndrome until many years later. Edna comes to believe she caused it, and doctors believe they can "cure" it. Complicating life, Edna, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia and manic-depressive disorder (eventually known as bi-polar disorder), undergoes barbaric electric shock treatments and the family must pull together during these dark times. Meanwhile, Russell is quickly becoming the world's premier glass fly fishing rod craftsman and renowned expert of fly fishing. His rods are in demand and he makes custom rods for the rich and famous, for clients all over the world, and even for a president of the United States.

David is the bright spot in the family's lives and they experience adventure, joy, and laughter together because of him. They also have some tense moments; with a rattlesnake, a corral of horses, and the day David gets lost in Los Angeles on New Year's Day.

Through it all, the Peaks have a special devotion to one another, and theirs is a true family love story.