My rating: 5 of 5 starsGoodbye Emily by Michael Murphy is a 2012 copyright. John Koehler is the publisher. Sparky, Josh, and Buck just graduated from high school. They know deep down that their lives are about to take them in separate directions. So, before college, and the war, and marriage and life in general makes them grow up and take on adult responsibilities, they head off to Woodstock. It's just the guys and they are on a road trip. It was a time that ended up bonding them for life. Sparky meets Emily, a seventeen year old farm girl while at Woodstock and knows that she is the one. Sure enough the two marry and spend thirty five years together and have a daughter, Cloe. Then Emily gets cancer. It's been two years since Emily's death. Sparky still has her urn and has yet to scatter her ashes and tell her goodbye. His was eased out of his job as a college professor because of cutbacks, and now he is experiencing chest pains. One such episode lands him in a hospital where the doctor explains to Cloe that her father has broken heart syndrome. He must deal with his sadness, stress, and start changing his eating- and drinking habits, as well get some exercise. Cloe is a lawyer and works long hours, but she still manages to check up on her dad and scold him if need be. Meanwhile, Sparky meets his grumpy next door neighbor's granddaughter and discovers the girl has a musical talent and likes to "jam" with Sparky. He also gets an introduction to the girl's mother. A little flirtation comes about as a result. Sparky is also having vivid dreams of how he and Emily met at Woodstock. This was a way for the reader to get to know Emily and how she and Sparky were just meant to be. In an attempt to deal with his grief, Sparky looks up Buck. He is mad at Buck for not attending Emily's funeral. During the visit he learns Buck has had a pretty hard life since the war and also learns that Josh has Alzheimer's. Josh is in a assisted care facility with only his deeply religious elderly mother to visit him. The long and the short of the story is that Buck and Sparky decide to bust Josh out of his facility and take off to Woodstock again after forty years. Sparky has decided this would be the perfect place to scatter Emily's ashes and to finally say goodbye to her. The hitch is that Josh's mother has power of attorney and she does not want Josh to leave the facility. So, basically Buck and Sparky will be kidnapping Josh. But, they think they are doing the right thing by their friend. Naturally, these crazy characters embark on one wild adventure trying to make it to Woodstock before the cops catch up to them. There are real poignant moments that had me swallowing back tears, and some hilarious, laugh out loud moments as well. This is the story of true love, friendship, family, grief, healing, and making the most of what life gives you. Sparky's journey brought together old friends and they made a lot of new ones along the way as well. Sparky and Cloe also grow closer as Sparky finally realizes he has been wrapped up in his own grief and left Cloe to deal with the loss of her mother on her own. This was the best feel good story I've read in a long time. I can't believe this one was free in the kindle store. Many people of a certain age can really identify with Sparky, Josh, and Buck. But, you don't have to be a boomer to enjoy the book. It's just good story telling. I recommend this one to everyone, no matter what your preferred genre is. We all need these types of stories from time to time. Highly recommend!
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