The base story here was sweet, if predictable and simplistic. Even as an atheist I was only mildly irritated by the Christian subplot. Then came the "birthday" party. "Here's my Purple Heart medal. Something that means enough to me to keep it on me no matter what." Clancy's reaction: great. I'll just set this down and dismiss it. My gift is a preachy, condescending book that I (thoughtfully I grant) made. It makes God sound like the universe's assistant manager in charge of human stupidity and errors. "Look. I'd love to forgive you guys, but it's out of my hands. Bummer. But I've got an idea...". Then, of course, she dies. I wanted to throttle her myself by then anyway. I actually laughed out loud from the party scene on.