Clara is married to Oliver, mother to Shane, and the grandmother
of Noah. They are on their way to New Orleans for a family vacation. The rest
of the clan will meet them there.
Clara begins her story of how she became a nurse for the Army
Nurse Corps. She speaks of war and wounded soldiers. Clara tells her grandson
Noah, some men died because they could not be treated in enough time. She continues her story reminiscing about one soldier in
particular, Gareth. Before he dies, he asks Clara to help in writing a letter
to his wife, Mattie. She is to deliver this letter to Mattie when she is
relieved of duty.
When Clara delivers the letter to Mattie, before she can leave
Mattie gives her a quilt in remembrance of their meeting. Mattie told Clara she
was never able to start a family, since Gareth enlisted in the Army. Their
friendship blossoms and Clara decides to use the quilt to swaddle newborn
infants and embroider their names onto the quilt. The quilt will be given to
Mattie as a gift, as a way to give Mattie the family she never had.
During their road trip, Oliver becomes ill and is
hospitalized. Noah encourages his grandmother to continue her story while
Oliver sleeps. Clara is tired, but resumes.
Emily Wierenga tells a story of love, faith, and strength of a
woman full of determination. She is giving of herself to others in need. This novel is emotionally charged. It
will make you happy, and yet bring tears to your eyes. I recommend to readers of World War nostalgia.
I received this book free from Abingdon Press through the
Litfuse Review Program for an honest and unbiased review.
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