LUCKY'S GIFT

LUCKY'S GIFT is a story about the unquenchable human spirit that survives life's challenges and grows brighter and brighter through its connections with other sentient beings. It is a first love, first loss that ends abruptly, leaving footprints on the soul. The characters exist in 1950's Southern USA in a period in history that is driven by social norms wherever the characters travel across the US. It is about being invisible, not fitting in, not conforming to the judgments of "us" and "them." As their lives entwine, the main characters, Carrie, Tommy and Lucky capture each others' hearts and journey together through memorable adventures. Lines are blurred when reality mixes with the spirit world for Carrie. She sees her angels standing at the ready and surrounding her with protection when she faces strong challenges like domestic abuse, death, changing schools, new towns, bullies, isolation, family interaction, accidents, injuries, and the Asian flu. She relies on God, even when she doesn't understand the brutality and loses of life. Facing his father's leukemia, bullies, and injustice by taking the high ground, Tommy is the quintessential hero who leaves everyone better for having known him, although he is flawed by his recklessness. On the flip side, life in LUCKY'S GIFT offers coming of age revelations opening up the characters to love, hope, peace, childhood adventures, the future, connections to nature and to the heavenly realm. The main thread that introduces the characters and holds them together is playing sandlot ball and baseball, but it is just a jumping off point as their adventures ripple outwards towards eternity, with soul searching and agape love leading the way. Dogs, and strays like Lucky in particular, come into the characters' lives and demonstrate unconditional love. LUCKY'S GIFT shines a light on two sides of life, but its final revelation is that true love endures and presents a lasting gift.