Keeping Christmas - by Dan Walsh

About the book:

Stan opened the ugly ornaments box and pulled out the top three ornaments, the ones wrapped in green paper, the kids' favorites, and set them on the coffee table. He picked up the first one, the biggest one--Anna's blue pinecone--and began to unwrap it. Without thinking, Judith walked up, stopped him, and gently took it out of his hand. She wrapped it back up, set it carefully in the box. Then picked up the other two ornaments, put them in the box, and closed the flaps.

"What's the matter?" Stan said. "Did I do something wrong?"

"I don't think I can do this."


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 review:

This was more of a sad story as Judith really struggled with not seeing her kids or grandkids for Thanksgiving or Christmas.  Her best friend and husband both try to cheer her up, but nothing seems to work.  I really felt badly for her, but also wanted her to snap out of it.  It's not like her kids didn't want to come home; they just couldn't afford to.  I could understand feeling sad, though, when things don't turn out like you want them to.  The story definitely had some cute moments, especially the end.  It was so touching!  I really liked the idea of having a tradition of making ornaments with your kids.  It made for a lot of good memories Judith's family relived every year.  I also liked that Judith was teaching other moms how to start that tradition.  The story spent an equal amount of time from Judith's perspective as well as Stan's.  Stan and his friend went fishing and to the Bass Pro Shop as well as working part-time and a lot of their part of the story was spent dreaming about the boat they were close to buying.  Faith is more of a background element in the story.  I definitely think men as well as women would like this book, especially those who can relate to an empty nest.  I would recommend it if you are looking for more of a nostalgic story.

I received this book free from Revell in exchange for an honest review.

 The Author

1. 

   © Dan Davis Photography

   Dan Walsh

   Dan Walsh is the bestselling author of several books, including The Dance and The Promise with Gary Smalley, as well as The Unfinished Gift, The Discovery, and The Reunion. He has won three Carol Awards, and two of his novels...
   

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