As soon as the Halloween candy has been stashed away, I’m in full holiday mode. I eagerly plan my menu for Thanksgiving, imagining the bliss on my friends’ faces as they taste each dish. That happy feeling continues throughout December. Which brings us to our last October book club selection The 13th Gift by Joanne Huist Smith.
Today is the publication day for Smith’s memoir and join From Left to Write members as we discuss the holidays, loss, grief, and gifts of all kinds:
- Even though Rebecca at Life of An Army Wife was separated from her husband during the Iraq war, she still stayed cheerful.
- Janaki from More Than Four Sides had to give up favorite carols when leaving Christianity for Judaism, but has no regrets.
- Kita Bryant at Kokoa Magazine offers help others who may deal with the loss of loved ones at Christmas.
- Betsy from The Everyday Warrior remembers the gifts her family was given when her Dad passed away.
- Kelly of Cupcake Kelly’s shares how she survived a miscarriage before the holidays.
- Jennifer at mamawolfe reflects on the gift of an ordinary day spent with extraordinary people.
- Ashley from Ashley, Unabashed talks about the importance of giving back during the holidays.
- Ally Lang at NorthSideFour is reminded of those no longer here to celebrate Christmas by the blessing of a small child.
- Melanie RG from The Seeds of 3 wants everyone to have a joyous holiday season.
- Julie of A Good Joe remembers a difficult Christmas.
- Stacy from The Novel Life shares how a group of kind-hearted individuals generosity made all the difference to a single mom and her three children.
- Melanie at tales from the crib considers joy-stealers and the holidays.
- Thien-Kim of I’m Not the Nanny is planning for a smaller gathering this holiday.
- NJ from A Cookie Before Dinner gives 31 ideas for intentional kindness.
- Meghan at Crazy Casa K wonders if she is doing enough to teach her son to enjoy giving.
Learn more about the author and The 13th Gift on its website. You can even see photos of Smith’s family and pictures of the cards she and her family received from their “True Friends.”
Have you ever secretly given gifts?
About The Author
Thien-Kim
Thien-Kim is Editor of From Left to Write. She sneaks in her reading time late at night after her family is sound asleep. She also writes at I'm Not the Nanny.