The Last Christmas Ornament

by Jacie Middlemann

Jenna Camden knew nothing would be the same again. She felt like a guest in her own home...empty rooms echoed with precious memories, quiet nights filled with shadows of so many cherished yesterdays.Nothing was the same. Not even Christmas.A Christmas love story of hope, courage, and the enduring strength of love…Jenna didn’t have to look around her home with its colorful and shining Christmas decorations, the tall Christmas tree in her front room with the many Christmas ornaments that told in a special way the story of her family, to know that no matter what she did it would never again be the same as it had once been.How could it?Her children no longer ran rampant through their home, their laughter could no longer be heard throughout the day and so often into the late hours of the night. Their toys could no more be found scattered in every possible corner, there was no longer the rush to get their special Christmas ornaments on to the Christmas tree, and her solitary late night forays for hot chocolate and cookies stayed that way.There were no more unexpected companions during those late night excursions as there had once been…would never be again.She had done what needed to be done over the last few years. She’d coped.Now she needed to do more if for no other reason it was what Evan had wanted for both of them together. What he would have wanted for her even now…on her own. And would so dearly wish for her to want the same for herself…to travel to the small town and the charming little house they’d chosen just for the two of them.Yet on this day more special than any other, she finds that the Christmas holiday brings an unexpected gift. And that the journey she was about to embark on only days after Christmas would no longer be one she would take alone.The Last Christmas Ornament is a story of hope, courage, and the enduring strength of love.If you enjoy women’s fiction, clean quick reads, and stories about romance and Christmas, this may be the novella for you.Perfect for fans Sweet and emotional Women’s FictionA charming small town Christmas story.Feel good stories about family.

Genres: Christmas, Holiday

38 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 10, 2015

About the author

I fell in love with books when I was in the 4th grade and my free period was spent volunteering in the school library. I read every Nancy Drew book there was to check out, discovered collections of myths and fairy tales from around the world, Louisa May Alcott and C.S. Lewis, and decided I wanted my own library. By the end of that summer with the supplies our school librarian graciously provided me my books had due date slips, card pockets, book cards, and black electrical tape on the spine with the first three letters of the author's last name. I still have most of those books.
In the hope she could get me involved in something else my mother gave me a camera. Right around the same time my father told me I could use his typewriter when he wasn't using it. The typewriter won. We shared his typewriter but I also filled notebooks with stories scribbled before school, after school, and often when I was supposed to be asleep. Thanks to my mother, who saved just about every single one of those notebooks, I still have them as well.
Several years ago my father gave me his typewriter…the same one we shared all those summers ago. Every time I look at it I remember the young 4th grade girl who was quietly encouraged to do what she loved…and years later reminded with a box filled with notebooks crammed full of handwritten stories and dreams.
And it’s still not unheard of that I stay up way later than I should with a good book that’s just impossible to put down.

Reviews

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking but true

A beautifully written short story of what happens all too often in families. Her children all have children of their own and none except one seem to have ant time for her. The only thing they seem to want is to make her move and do so under their direction. Even with Christmas coming up they don't seem to have time for her. Can she do anything about it? Luckily her husband had guessed what was to be, before he passed and had left her an escape route. Watch as she takes it with one granddaughter who has true ties to her and the past. The only criticism i have was that it was only 70% of the page count.

[Eunice Coorlas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreakingly, beautiful story, which unfortunately must ring true for many people. A lovely mother and grandmother finds herself for all intense and purposes ignored by her family. With the exception of a granddaughter, she must rely on outsiders to help redesign her life. This is a short and bittersweet story, I enjoyed though I wish there had been more information as to her families opinions on her decisions.

This should be red by parents and their children as a lesson in what life might deal.

[Bobbi Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming homecoming

Beautiful seasonal book that would be a great read for any season - not just Christmas. As parents age and one is left behind, holidays are so very hard. Their children and their families have so much going on.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left me in tears by the end...

Incredibly heartbreaking yet beautiful story of love, loss, and new beginnings. I felt so connected to this story which speaks to a powerful writer and just the right words.

[Carrie Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and powerful!

There's a lot of emotion and meaning in this short story. I would recommend this wonderful tale to anyone interested in love, family and how with great joy comeS some great disappointment.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just ok. Heartwarming and deeper than a quick Christmas read. I didn't really care for the Virtual Voice narration, although I have to say it wasn't absolutely so horrible that I ditched the book. It was good enough to finish it. Nice story for Christmas.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short loving novella that was so good, It made me cry. A widow's children decide she can't live in the family home any longer but she surprises them and does it her own way!

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was good but didnot give enough detail. One can imagine this happening to a person, but what a wonderful husband she had!!!

[J Layne · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story was hard to follow because of grammar errors. One curse word. Poorly written.

[Virginia Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had me in tears.

Maybe it is because I too lost my husband and Christmas ornaments are special to me especially the ones he gave me. Very nice story.

[Carolyn Banning · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very good Christmas story. It really centered on family values and their importance.

[Marsha Ronquist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute and simple story

Not sure of the ending. It felt like there should be more to the story. There is no part two. It just ends.

[Linda Donohue · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable short read,

[Pam McCallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read

[janet Turley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Love the love between grandmother and granddaughter- this book was such a fun easyread! Many of us have lived through this scenario. I enjoyed this book very much

[Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novella was predictable and sappy. Matriarch ignored by her kids after her husband dies. Her husband planned future without him. Christmas ornament tradition... Quick read.

[Karen Fouts · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story.

This is a beautiful story of family difficulties, but of sweet, enduring love - both of the older adults and their granddaughter.