The 13th Gift: A True Story of a Christmas Miracle

I love the winding tale of how grief turned to joy as a family shared in some mysterious gift giving.

I read this for a December book club. I have owned a Kindle copy for several years, but just now got around to reading it. I really wish I would have read it sooner, but like so many other things in life, it seems I read it just when I was supposed to.It is far too easy, in today's hustle & bustle world, to get caught up in the trappings of the Holiday season and forget the more important aspects - family, love, forgiveness, acceptance, and, yes, loss. Depression is insidious. It doesn't hit you like a cold or an injury can. It creeps in, filling up all the empty places of the day, convincing people that just going through the motions is enough. By making us numb to the pain, it also robs us of the joy that life can bring.The Smiths are just going through the motions after the death of the family patriarch, Rick. His widow and children have become numb to life, with only the youngest child, Megan, still hopeful for the coming of Christmas. Yet, even her endeavors to bring the Christmas spirit back into the home are half-hearted, at best. It is in the midst of this bleak run-up to Christmas that a series of Random Acts of Kindness begin to reawaken the family to the world of life around them.This book is part memoir, part instruction guide, on how to revive the joy of everyday living. Things will never be "perfect." There will always be something that causes a hitch in one's plans or expectations, but it is how we handle those challenges and overcome them that help define who we are and how we can best move forward.I highly recommend this book, and if you can read it at Christmastime, even better!

The 13th Gift is a beautiful story of hope after heartache, and blessings beyond bereavement. The Smith family's discovery of how to have joy and happiness after the loss of their dearly loved one is an inspirational message to us all. I highly recommend this book because it is incredibly heartwarming and uplifting.

I loved this book and it brought out the true meaning of Christmas. I loved how the authorShowed how to he e gifts transformed each family member. Making the family whole once again!Thank you and Merry Christmas 🎄

My wife and I had a hard time getting through the first half of the book, it was just so heart-rending, but I pressed on without my wife because the book promised a 'Christmas miracle.' It was worth it. After I finished, I encouraged my wife to press on ... she is a much faster reader than I ... and on finishing, she too was glad she made it to the end.I had an experience in my boyhood as a cub scout, playing 12 days for someone as a troop at Christmas time. It was tremendous fun, which is what initially sparked my interest in this book. This account from the other end of the 12 days tradition is a testament to how small and simple things can bring about big changes in the lives of people, if we'll just put forth the effort and not be afraid to be kind.

I am getting started early on getting into the spirit of the season, and WOW, this book put me right in the mood. Such an absolutely heartfelt account of the grief Joanne and her family felt and the beautiful way others lifted them up and how those experiences spill out to help others who are hurting. A lesson for all of us!

Very nostalgic of my childhood experiences at Christmas. When life was simpler and gifts didn't need to be large and meant so much more.

Wonderful true story of love and moving on

This book was a gift to me for a sad Christmas. The turning point of our retirement has revived the memory of the Christmas after my Dad's death (not long after his retirement) when nothing was joyful and we had to hold each other close to keep from falling apart. It has encouraged me to look outward for people to encourage at Christmas time.

I really loved this book. It started off a bit dark and sad, normal when you lose your soulmate, husband, father of your children, your everything.The secret gifts worked a treat and all members in the family cheered up and became a family who were ale to enjoy Christmas which is about being together with family and friends.this is what christmas should be secret gifts, rather than gifts for giving. I hope lots of people take up this way of gift giving especially to people who go through a difficult time.Many thanks to the author I hope she and her family are well and not only keep the gift giving up but also inpiring other to do the same.

Great book lessons to be learntLoved it 🥰

I really enjoyed reading this book. Even I got into wondering what the next gift would be and who was the gift giver. Was a feel good book that made you think about doing good things for others.

This book is fascinating. Very hard to put down. A simply wonderful Story. I feel truly priviliged that I found this book and read it. Gift givers are wonderful people.