Heart-Warming Debut Yuletide Novel Focuses on a Young Boy, a Guardian Angel & a Quaint New York Village That Needs Christmas Spirit

A Gift Most Rare

(A Novel)

By Tom Leihbacher

“Congratulations to Tom for writing a heartwarming Christmas story that evokes the traditional Christmas spirit. A Gift Most Rare focuses on a God-honoring relationship between a young boy, a guardian angel and a whole village that rediscovers how best to celebrate Christmas.” – Kevin Sorbo, Actor, Producer, Director

It's Christmastime in the pocket-sized village of Briarcliff Manor. With yuletide spirits flying high, life seems close to perfect in this quaint suburb of Manhattan.

But not everyone feels the holiday cheer. While most go about their joyful holiday pursuits, young Charlie Riverton is restless. Compassionate by nature, he's especially mindful of the lonely and forlorn.

At the same time, he's the unofficial leader of a close-knit group of sixth-grade buddies. Together they grapple with pre-teen hijinks, newfound freedoms and an emerging, nerve-wracking interest in girls.

Meanwhile, there's a curiously gifted newcomer in town. Charlie develops a special friendship with the handsome stranger and together, they set out to craft a God-honoring Christmas gift for the whole community. Along the way, lives are changed, and people begin to look at Christmas a little differently.

Come spend the holidays in Briarcliff with this feel-good, coming of age story set in small-town America in the early 1970s.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Tom Leihbacher has lived in Briarcliff Manor, New York for most of his life. After graduating from Briarcliff High School and then the University of Florida, he returned home and began a career in the media and advertising sales business. He and his family live in the Tree Streets and enjoy a rich life filled with church and community involvements and great friendships. He listens to Dr. Cook's Walk with the King broadcast each morning before boarding a Manhattan-bound commuter train at Scarborough Station; passes through Law Park and the Pine Forest frequently; enjoys membership at Sleepy Hollow Country Club; stops for sunsets over the Hudson River and once in a while can be found skating at one of the frozen ponds in town.

After 35+ years in the corporate world, "A Gift Most Rare" is his first novel. A summer sequel will be ready soon. Please visit my author website to learn more.

https://www.tomleihbacher.com/

EXCERPT:

As they waited for the Adult Skate to finish, Charlie happened to glance up the hillside toward the flagpole in the center of Law Park. There, he saw a sight that pierced him, awakening something vital in his heart.

“Guys, look up there at poor Mr. Olson. Have you noticed how lost and lonely he seems since his wife died?” Charlie knew Mr. Olson well. He cut his grass during the summertime and raked his leaves every autumn. “Is that a handkerchief? I think he’s wiping away tears or something.”

“If you spent your entire adult life with someone who died without warning, you’d feel lost too!” The group could always count on Derrick Marks to size things up in blunt terms.

“Wow. That was cold. Even by your standards. I realize everyone’s allowed to act like a jerk once in a while, but you’re really abusing the privilege,” said BB.

“I can’t even imagine how hard it must be. And it’s so sad! I don’t think they ever had children, so he’s all alone now,” said Charlie. “All alone.”

“Yeah, and you know when it’s really going to hurt? In about a month when Christmas comes around,” added BB. “I wonder what he did for Thanksgiving.”

“Oh, leave him be. He’s a grown man. Fought on the ground in Europe during World War I. He’ll figure it out,” lectured Derrick.

“You’re all heart, DMarks,” replied Charlie. “We should go up and say hello to him. Maybe he might need help with snow shoveling or something.”

“Are you crazy? We only have an hour of daylight left, and Adult Skate is just about over,” said George. Charlie didn’t care, his focus had shifted from hockey to Mr. Olson. His genuinely good and caring heart couldn’t just let go.

Suddenly, a uniquely warm feeling washed over him. Where did that come from? he wondered. It reminded him of those times when he was small, and his father would wrap him up in his arms until it felt like he had been swallowed whole. Usually those bear hugs provided encouragement and support. Without thinking about it any further, he got to his feet and hobbled up the hillside in his hockey skates.

“Oh, good night, John-Boy,” said D Marks. “There goes Mr. Wonderful. If he doesn’t get back in time to restart the game, I say we get Matty Gilroy to fill in for him.”

Charlie loved hockey, but at that particular moment, he was carried away with a desire to do something, anything he could to ease Mr. Olson’s pain. He slowed down once he got closer and just kind of glanced at Mr. Olson. The gentlemanly old man was just sitting there, all bundled up, quietly weeping, sad as raindrops on a

gravestone. “Mr. Olson? It’s me, Charlie Riverton. I wanted to say hello.”

At first, Mr. Olson was startled as he rallied out of his deep thoughts and reflections. Then, he immediately warmed to Charlie’s presence. “Charlie, you’re very kind to visit with me. How are you and your family?” His voice was tired and spiritless but sincere.

“We’re all fine, sir. My dad still commutes to Manhattan each day from Scarborough Train Station and my mom still teaches kindergarten at Todd School. We’ve been talking a lot about you lately.”

As the words came out, Charlie realized it wasn’t the best way of letting Mr. Olson know that he was in their thoughts. Still, he could tell Mr. Olson understood and appreciated the sentiment.

“Thank you, Charlie. Thank you very much. You know, I’ve noticed lately that it feels like I’ve been having company, even though no one has visited since Mrs. Olson passed away. It must be your family’s kind thoughts and prayers making me feel that way.”