When Christmas is about dreams, but not shared ones…

Synopsis

You are invited to spend CHRISTMAS ON THE CLOSE where each of the neighbours are celebrating in their own special way.

Veronica and Owen are looking forward to a happy Christmas on The Close with their friends and neighbours.

Their son, Travis, is due to take some important exams, but will he be able to concentrate when a serious crush derails his schedule?

As their fortieth birthdays approach, some significant celebration will be required, but how can Veronica agree to Owen’s life-changing request?

The fifth standalone episode of ‘Christmas on The Close’ shows how sharing a treasured life with someone does not necessarily result in sharing the same treasured dreams.

My review

Veronica and Owen love their life on The Close, and with their son Travis being a teenager now, Christmas Time is the perfect occasion to see what dreams they still may have, especially as both their fortieth birthday is approaching.
But Veronica is shocked to learn that Owen has a request that she never even thought about it. A request that will change their lives completely.
So this Christmas, Veronica has some serious thinking to do, beside worrying about her son Travis. Because not only Travis need to focus on his examens he is not sure he wants to take, but he is also determined to finally make a move on his crush.
This for sure will be a Christmas to remember for the whole family, but in what way?

Sometimes you don’t need an elaborated book to show the values of family, love and Christmas. Sometimes a short story about a family and their personal dilemmas and issues can be just the right thing to make you realize exactly that.

Christmas is always a time to think about the past, present and future. You think what has happened, where you are now, and what you hope there is waiting for you.
And we see here how Veronica is having the exact thoughts, also adding a self-conscious layer of doubt.
Because getting closer and closer to forty, can be a terrifying thought, and makes you indeed think about what you truly want to achieve before it’s “too late”.

Just like Veronica I was a bit shocked to read about Owen’s request, or rather question. On one hand I could understand him, but on the other hand, just like Veronica, I saw a mountain of possible issues.
But it’s also once again recognizable that when an important birthday approaches, you think about everything. Even if Veronica didn’t have the same thought as Owen, it makes her think about it…

And Travis, perhaps I was the most invested in his story. Because it’s not easy being a teenager. Not only does Travis is stressed about his examens, he is not sure which direction he wants to follow. And he has a huge crush on his neighbour!

I found it truly sweet how he wants to get noticed, going extra lengths for his crush. But I was afraid that his story of love would end in disappointed as there were several red flags…
Yet I also found it great to see how something unexpected happened for Travis!

I truly enjoyed reading this quick story, about a normal family ready for Christmas. A Christmas that will be remembered for different reasons, as choices are being made, realizations made and a Christmas that has been a real eye – opener for the characters!