In this moving, unforgettable novel from New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe, a successful, happily married mother suddenly finds herself feeling far from joyful. But Christmas brings an unexpected chance to rediscover herself, and what happiness really means . . .   For Beatrice Powell, the holidays are usually an extra-special time to celebrate. Between her twenty-year-plus marriage, gorgeous Berkeley, California, home, and three wonderful adult children, she has everything she could desire. But change-of-life doubts are making Beatrice a stranger to herself and her bewildered family. She only finds peace volunteering at the local soup kitchen, especially helping out homeless Charles Davenport. And his sensitivity and honesty soon comfort her in ways she never imagined . . .   Charles thought he had it all—until a devastating betrayal and the shattering loss of his family drove him to living on the streets. Beatrice is the first person who’s truly cared about him in a long time. And little by little, he’s finding reasons to care about rebuilding his life—and risking a sudden, courageous choice . . .   Drawn to Charles and the temptation of a second chance, Beatrice is faced with the hardest of decisions. But his insight, secrets—and the reminder of a profound past encounter—will give her unexpected inspiration, gratitude, and the strength she needs to find her way—perhaps in time for Christmas. MARY MONROE , the daughter of sharecroppers, was born thirteen days before Christmas and always celebrates her birthday with a Christmas theme (once even dressed as an elf).  She usually spends the holiday with family and friends feasting on elaborate meals, exchanging gifts, and trying to keep unruly pets from knocking over the Christmas tree.  But even when this event is spent alone eating a take-out dinner and watching the same sentimental Christmas movies for the hundredth time, it is still the most special day in the year. Mary is the author of the award-winning and New York Times bestselling God series that includes God Don’t Like Ugly and God Don’t Make No Mistakes , among other novels. Winner of the AAMBC Maya Angelou Lifetime Achievement Award and the PEN/Oakland Josephine Miles Award, Mary Monroe currently lives in Oakland, California. Visit Mary online at MaryMonroe.org. Remembrance By Mary Monroe KENSINGTON PUBLISHING CORP. Copyright © 2018 Mary Monroe All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-4967-1582-1 CHAPTER 1 I didn't date again until six months after my accident. I socialized with a few interesting men, but nothing panned out until I started going to church on a regular basis with Mama and Daddy. That was where I met Eric Powell. He was a deacon only four years older than I was, and he was already a successful plumbing contractor. After several dinner dates, movies, a few parties, and a weekend in Reno, things got serious between us. My parents told me to my face that he was a "keeper" and that I should take him and run before another woman caught his attention. I did just that. It was so easy to fall in love with Eric. He was a laid-back, down-to-earth man with a strong set of values, and he was good-looking. His athletic build, butterscotch-colored skin, sparkling black eyes, and curly black hair made him a standout. He even laughed at my lame jokes and teased me when I filled up Baggies with food when we went to all-you-can eat restaurants. He wasn't much of a reader, but he gave me his full attention when I told him about a book I'd read. "I don't like to beat around the bush, Bea, so I'll tell you straight up, I want to marry you." Eric's Saturday-morning proposal over breakfast at IHOP, six months after we'd met, came as a surprise to me. I had previously dated a couple of other men for over a year prior to my accident, but I never got to know them as well as I already knew Eric. There was no doubt in my mind that he was the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. Instead of saying "yes," I said, "When?" He reached across the table and lifted a lock of hair off my ear. "I want you to be my wife as soon as possible," he said loud enough for people in the next block to hear. Every other patron in the restaurant cheered and applauded. One even insisted on paying for our meal. We were married in his parents' living room in Sacramento the first weekend in February. Moving from my shoe-box-size apartment, next door to a liquor store, into a four-bedroom, Tudor-style house, which Eric had recently bought, was so amazing that I had to keep pinching myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. He had already purchased a few pieces of new furniture, but he left everything else up to me. "I never thought you'd make out this good with a man," Mama gushed when she saw the lavish baby blue velvet couch and matching love seat I had picked out at one of the most expensive furniture stores in town. Her eyes got as big as saucers when I told her that Eric had said I could s