A Parting Gift Book

"You see, Josh, all your life you're storing up memories of people, places, and lessons you've learned. If you boil it all down, what you have left in the bottom of the pot is wisdom."

Now in this simple, moving, and eloquently told tale, Ben Erickson offers a gift to everyone who has ever pondered the meaning and mystery of life...A Parting Gift.

"If there's one thing that living has taught me, it's that life is far too short for it to fly by in a nonstop blur. You have to slow down -- find the time to know who and what you are."

At seventeen, all Josh Bell is sure of is his love of surfing and his ability to catch the next wave. Everything else is up for grabs. A child of a broken home, he can't understand why the father he once idolized hasn't seen him in over a year. About to graduate from high school, he has nothing lined up for his immediate future and no idea what he'll do with his life. But through his part-time job delivering meals to elderly retirees, Josh is about to get some unexpected help...

At eighty-four, William Davis is a reclusive widower who keeps to himself in his house overlooking Mobile Bay. He quietly spends his days with only his books and the beauty of the view to comfort him. Until the afternoon Josh comes into his life.

Mr. Davis sees something in Josh that the boy doesn't even know is there...and asks Josh to help him record the hard-won lessons of his many years. Soon the two are spending hours together on the wharf by the bay as the old man tells colorful stories from the past. To his surprise, Mr. Davis rediscovers a reason for living and a sense of purpose he thought he had lost forever. And as Josh finds himself slowly drawn deeper and deeper into the old man's world, a funny thing happens: His own life comes into sharper focus, too.

Originally written by a father to his son upon his high school graduation, A Parting Gift is an unforgettable tale of love and loss that will resonate with every generation. For within its depths are the seeds of wisdom and the timeless truths that have the power to inspire us all.

Birmingham News

A Parting Gift is a sweet touching story. A gift of wisdom and love...we can all share...