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Book
Snowflake (A Christmas Story) written by Francis Eugene Wood
About the book
Ed Perkins is lost. He is ill and lonely after the death of his wife, Leah. Nothing is right in his life and he sees no future until one day when he looks out of his hospital window and sees a young girl dancing in the snow. Her name is Sarah but Ed calls her Snowflake. She is a precious, vivacious little girl who loves classical music and aspires to be a ballerina. But Snowflake is also ill. Ed visits the girl and the two become friends. Through this little girl Ed Perkins finds himself again and regains his faith and zeal for life. And it all starts with a snowflake.
A note from the author
"Snowflake was a special story from the time I conceived of the idea until it was finished. I began writing this story while I was heavily into the editing of The Nipkins, Volume Two. This is not unusual for me as I sometimes work on several projects at a time. The interesting thing about Snowflake was the surprising turns it made from my original thoughts. I had wanted to write a story around the very unique Christmas snow which occurred in the Farmville area in 1985. I did not intend for certain well-known people to show up in the storyline or for it to take place at the local hospital. But sometimes stories write themselves. It was also very much inspired by the life and death of ten-year-old Jamie Hess, whose story I had followed in the paper for some time. Jamie died in 2002, and although I did not know him personally I was touched by what I had read about him. I have since come to know his family and with their permission dedicated this story to their son. Snowflake is a book about faith and love and the realization that each moment here is a gift.
Reviews
"Snowflake, Francis Wood's lastest book, is a special Christmas gift to readers everywhere, but especially to those in Farmville, Virginia, where the story unfolds. It is 1985, the year of Farmville's unique Christmas snow, when Ed Perkins, an elderly widower with nothing to live for, sees from his hospital room a little girl dancing in the snow outside. Her display of pure joy captivates him. When he learns she is ill, he visits her room, bringing as a present a snow globe enclosing a pirouretting ballerina. The friendship between man and child forms the core of this tale of despair and faith. Snowflake creates a small, enchanted world as particular as a ballerina encased in glass." -- Grace Simpson, poet, author of Dancing the Bones
"Francis Wood has once again written a wonderful Christmas Story. Snowflake relates a powerful message. It will be easily read in one sitting but sometimes through misty eyes. As in his other books, the author reveals his deep love of nature as evidenced by his exceptional skill with descriptive words. In this story, however, it is in his understanding of human nature that Francis Wood excels. I, too, anticipate the childhood excitement of a peaceful snowfall; and in the future when I catch a snowflake on my tongue, it will be a special reminder of this beautifully written story." -- Jo D. Smith, author of A History of High Bridge
About the author
Francis Eugene Wood was born in Farmville, Virginia. He grew up in Brunswick County, near Lawrenceville, where he lived until moving back to Farmville in 1971. Francis is now General Manager of Colonial Broadcasting Company, Inc. (WFLO in Farmville). He has taught radio courses at Longwood University in Farmville and often conducts lectures concerning the broadcasting industry. He lives in a log cabin in Buckingham County, Virginia with his wife and son.
I had a wonderful childhood, a good family, and all the adventures a boy should experience. I was just a shy country boy. I did it all, from carrying papers to cutting grass, little league baseball, Boy Scouts, church and school activities. I became a part-time radio announcer when I was fifteen. I had a big imagination, too, which served me well. I loved the forests and the river and felt a kinship with nature at an early age, which I've retained throughout my life. Many of my stories come from my past.
I write about the things I know. It's not forced at all. Just real natural. When you are quiet you notice things around you. I think about a story for a while and then bolts of light begin shooting through my brain. That's when I write. I have to. No outline. No notes. Nothing fancy about it at all. I just sit down and tell the story on paper.
My stories are culled from the experiences of my life. The hardest question to answer about my stories is...'was is true?' Well, there is so much truth to them that I'd rather not say. People will label them one day. They always have to label things. I just want to tell a good story.
Other books by this author
Angel Carver
Autumn's Reunion
Christmas Letter
Fodder Milo Stories
Nipkins, Vol. I
Nipkins, Vol. II
Nipkins, Vol. III
Return to Winterville
SnowPeople
Tackle Box Memories
Teardrop Fiddle
Two Tales & a Pipe Dream
Wind Dancer's Flute
Winterville Forever
Wooden Bell
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