About the Book:
Nothing is more beautiful than family
For the first time since their children were born, empty nesters Judith and Stan Winters spent Thanksgiving without the kids, and it's looking like Christmas will be the same. Judith can't bring herself to even start decorating for the holiday; her kids always hung the first ornaments on the tree, ornaments they had made each year since they were toddlers. Sure, the ornaments were strange-looking--some were downright ugly--but they were tradition.
With Judith refusing to decorate the bare spruce tree in their living room, Stan's only hope for saving the holiday is found in a box of handmade ornaments . . .
My Thoughts:
“Name one thing I do
that’s important or essential. One thing
I do that makes a difference.” (p.
45)
Judith really took an extreme
view of her role of wife and mother when her children can’t make it home for
Christmas. Depression is a real response
to the holiday season for many. Whether
it is the natural progression of children leaving home, the death of a spouse,
divorce…there are many things that change the trajectory of family traditions,
and the first encounter with that change sometimes hits harder than planned.
I could identify with many of
Judith’s emotions, because the first couple of holidays after my divorce – especially
when I was alone – were emotionally difficult.
Dan Walsh deals with these emotions realistically in his latest novella,
Keeping Christmas. His solution revealed a selflessness that
many wish could be found in their spouse during the holidays! J
This was a touching story, and a
stark reminder that if our review remains focused on our unmet expectations
instead of others, we will always be disappointed and depressed by the holiday
season. I know I’ve discovered the only
way through many, if not all, of these emotions is to focus on serving
others. That’s what the holidays are
supposed to look like anyway. Merry
Christmas!
About the Author:
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