The Cross Gardener

Title: The Cross Gardener
Author: Jason F. Wright

John Bevan is an orphaned child born on the side of a road after a car accident that takes his mother's life. He is adopted by an orchardist and has a happy life. He marries his high school sweetheart and they quickly start a family. Although John seems to have a great life, he is surrounded by tragedy -- his brother, his father, and then his wife and their second unborn child die. He is overcome with grief and erects two crosses at the crash site where his wife and child died. He visits it everyday and one day encounters a man tending to the crosses -- clearing away weeds and painting them. As John begins his dialogue with the "Cross Gardener" you immediately want to know who he is. I thought I had it figured out a few times and then was completely surprised in the end. This is a very spiritual tale that offers consolation to anyone who suffered a loss. Although it is fiction, it does pose questions and some answers -- maybe -- for what happens after someone we love passes away.

Fiction; rated 5 out of 5
Reviewed by Matt Drucker