Goodness and Light Patty Blount

Thirteen years ago, two teens met on the ramp to Ground Zero, on a cold and snowy day, strangers bonding in a moment of grief. The boy pressed a crystal snowflake ornament into the girl’s hand and disappeared into the crowd, unaware that his simple act of kindness saved her from the guilt that threatened to consume her.
Since losing her mom, Elena Larsen hasn’t set foot in New York City -- until now. Agreeing to help her sister prepare for her baby’s birth seems like a good way to spend Christmas and Elena vows not to let the monstrous guilt that weighs on her heart ruin everything. But those plans go awry when she meets Lucas Adair, a man whose own grief and guilt just might rival her own.
When Elena discovers Lucas is the boy who gave her that crystal snowflake all those years ago, she can’t accept it as the sign Lucas believes it to be. For her, it means only one thing --- even beyond the grave, her mother can never forgive Elena for breaking her heart.
For Lucas, New York is hallowed ground that he can never leave. He spends his days working in the Financial District and his evenings volunteering and it’s almost enough to help him forget what he did. Lucas knows better than to make plans with a woman who will soon be leaving, yet can’t help himself. There’s something about Elena that pulls him in. He doesn’t put much faith in signs but even he starts to believe Elena is his absolution. Now, he only has to convince her.

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Lots of deep emotions involved with this story, just from the 9/11 references alone.
I can only imagine the anger and sorrow that those so closely affected could feel and struggle with.
But there was also light, hope and faith in this story. I loved the theory of all the signs around us, if we are just willing to see them.
I enjoyed the characters, Lucas was endearing, Al, so much fun, with the biggest, most unforgiving heart. Elena was troubled, and a bit immature. And melodramatic at most times. But she grew up a bit towards the end, when she finally found the peace in her heart.
It was an interesting story of faith, forgiveness, belief, and love.
~ Three spoons