A Redbird Christmas

By Fannie Flagg

Oswald Campbell isn't doing well at all. Suffering from a bad liver from years of drinking too much and bad lungs from years of smoking, Oswald has been told by his doctor that it is time to get his affairs in order. His doctor also advises Oswald to move away from Chicago to some place warmer to prolong what little he has left of his life. The doctor recommends a quiet, Southern backwater in Alabama, Lost River.
So Oswald moves to Lost River and discovers that maybe his life isn't quite over yet. Because Lost River, a very tiny community, welcomes him with open arms, with good food, good companions, peace and quiet and with a beautiful, warm environment.
Perched on the banks of Lost River, Oswald discovers the community is a mecca for migrating birds and he takes up an old interest that he never took the time to develop before, painting. He spends many hours quietly perched on the banks of the river, painting pictures mainly of birds. He gets so good at it he even manages to sell some of his works, generating a nice little extra income for himself.
But this story isn't just about how Oswald finds a new life for himself. It is also about a little crippled girl whose best friend in the world is a Jack, a cardinal, a little red bird that lives at the local grocery store.
Jack was irreparably injured as a young bird but was rescued by the owner of the grocery and he became a kind of mascot for the store, allowed to roam freely throughout the building. The little girl, Patsy, poor, unhealthy and neglected, became fascinated by the little bird and spent most of her time at the store and the two became great friends. That little redbird becomes the light of Patsy's blighted life.
But Lost River is a healing place, as Oswald can attest. And little Patsy may have a chance at a better life in the welcoming arms of the folks at Lost River.

I love this story. This is the second time I have read this book and I enjoyed it just as much this time as the first time. Lost River sounds like heaven on earth and the people of it are the kind of people anyone would wish to know. Yes, it is a total, escapist fantasy and such a place and such people don't really exist anywhere. But it so nice to take a break from the daily grind and go to a world where the folks are warm and welcoming, the climate is balmy and welcoming and where can miracles happen.