With Wondering Awe by Jennifer Carson Shelton

Excerpt from With Wondering Awe

Becky Manning found a colorfully wrapped box topped with a red bow in the back of her closet. Forgetting about what she was searching for, she retrieved the box and read the tag: To Sarah, From Becky. A tear rolled down her cheek. She'd forgotten all about last year's Christmas gift. Unfortunately, circumstances prevented her from giving this gift to her sister. The biggest one was Sarah's passing.

“What's that?”

Becky spun around, nearly dropping the box. Her fourteen-year-old brother, Jared, stood beside her bed.

“What are you doing in here?”

“Mom wants us all in the living room.”

Becky sighed and stepped out of the closet. She placed the box on her desk and faced her brother.

“What does she want?”

Jared shrugged, more interested in the package now than the message he’d just delivered. “What's that?”

“A present.”

Jared read the name. “Why did you get a present for Sarah? She's dead.”

Her eyes shimmered with tears. She buried her face in her hands. Jared stood awkwardly, unsure of what to do.

“Becky? I—I'm sorry.” He patted her shoulder, looking relieved when her tears subsided.

Becky sniffed and looked at her brother. “It's okay, Jared. I just miss her.”

“Me, too. Is that why you got her a gift?”

“Actually, I got her this last year, but she never got a chance to open it.” Jared nodded. Becky put an arm around him. “Let's go see what Mom wants.”