The Three Christmases of William Spencer by Derek Blount
Book has three main sections all on Christmas day throughout the lifetime of William Spencer.
First one is when he is very young and he hopes to get the red sled from the store down the street.
He realizes things by the end of the chapter about his father and how hard he works...
Second story is when he is in his forties. Nothing goes right, at all.
Third one is when he's by himself at the end of his life and he recalls his past.
Good read. Other works by the author are highlighted at the end. ( )

On a childhood Christmas in the 1930s and a Christmas as a husband, father, and veteran after World War II, William has got something to learn and remember about happiness. But one Christmas as an old man living alone, William may have his most momentous holiday yet in The Three Christmases of William Spencer by author Derek Blount.

As is oftentimes the case with me, I'm quite glad I skipped the book blurb before I dove into this story. It was great to discover the crux of the matter on my own without basically knowing ahead of time what the moral of the story would be.

And, seriously, it's one of the best Christmas stories I've ever read. I started off thinking it to be a nice little holiday tale, then it started becoming a more serious and touching holiday tale, and by the time I got to the last third or so, the book was wringing my heart out.

I had to stop reading for maybe ten minutes, to weep and then to get myself together enough to finish it.

It's simple but wise and poignant at the same time, knowing what to explain or mention and what to leave unsaid. This wonderfully realized journey of joy, pain, faith, and hope is what Christmas classics are made of. ( )

This is a fast reading work. The main character was born on Christmas and this book highlights 3 of his Christmases/birthdays: one from his childhood, one as an adult and parent, and one as an old man. The overriding theme of all 3 is to choose happiness.

As a child, he is disappointed to not get the sled he coveted (though he does get a sled). Wise words from his grandfather help him get past his disappointment and take the sled to the sledding hill, where he realizes his is the only one that can hold two people (and apparently he takes his future wife sledding that day).

As an adult, he faces a day where it seems everything that can go wrong does. This time, I think it is his son who voices the same idea that the grandfather did years before.

And finally, as an old man planning to spend his day alone, he is surprised by family and once again realizes that he has a choice in how to view life.

A quick read and well worth the time. ( )