Dan Walsh never disappoints with his writing or his stories. He deveoped a family of strong characters with Ian Collins being the heartless grandfather who experienced a heart wrenching change and finally became what every little boy dreamed his grandfather would be....loving. Patrick coming to live with his grandfather was the catalyst which lit the fire to melt the ice in Ian's heart. Patrick had a sad story and his story touched the hearts of not only his social worker, Miss Katherine Townsend and the next door neighbor, Mrs Fortini, as well. All of these characters were so very real and so very well developed. Each was easy to perceive in my mind's eye.This was a sweet story about reunion and forgiveness. It was about love at it's worst and it's best. It was frightening as a blizzard swallowed young Patrick and hid him from the ones who cared most for him. Fortunately he was rescued by ansuspecting hero Ezra Jeffries, the epitome of doing the right thing.I thoroughly loved this tale of love from an author I truly admire and respect. And what better time than Christmas to forgive one another and begin anew! A story of seven year old Patrick whose mother is killed in an auto accident while his father, Shawn, is in England during World War II. He is taken to live with his grandfather who he has never met. The grandfather and Shawn are estranged since his marriage to Patrick's mother. The grandfather is mean to Patrick. They receive a telegram that Shawn is Missing in Action. Patrick prays that God will give him his father back and a wooden soldier Grandpa made for Christmas.
What do You think about The Unfinished Gift (2009)?
This was a good quick Christmas short story. A tear at your heart strings happy ending book.
—adri
