THEO OF GOLDEN BOOK CLUB - WEEK 13 - CHAPTERS 61 - EPILOGUE

THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi

I am mourning as I sit and write this last post. I am mourning the end of this book and knowing that there isn't another book as meaningful or heartfelt in my TBR pile to go to next that I am aware of. (Please, Allen Levi, keep writing!) I think it's very telling how much readers want books like this by how many times it has been recommended by those who have read it. The popularity of this book has spread like wildfire, and it's primarily been by word of mouth.

As I sit here writing this last post, I am blessed to be next to water. The sun is reflecting off of it, and it feels like such a fitting way to reminisce over these last chapters and then bid adieu to Theo. Also fitting is the fact that as soon as I finish this post, my copy is headed straight into a pair of hands of someone else waiting to read it. Could anything be more perfect?

Well, I've put off wrapping this book up for long enough. Let's dive in and cherish this last little bit of the journey together.

CHAPTER 61 -

Did you see this coming? Even after he is buried and gone, the workings of Theo, his kindness and attempts to connect family together, still shine through. Willa. I am going to do something I have refrained from doing so far in this book, and that is comment on material that is coming up. We get Theo's commitment to family now, don't we. We understand his mission, his plan, and the desire he has to strengthen and unite as many families together as he can. Think back a moment with me - the first bestowal was to Minette who desires with her whole heart to start a family. Think back a step even before that to when Theo chooses her portrait out of all the others. Remember the eyes? He knew who those eyes belonged to. In a way, she was an extension of his own family even though not directly by blood, but by love. Think about Kendrick and Lamisha - supporting them so they could heal and grow together in the best way from the accident. Simone and bringing his family to the recital so they could be together. We see all of these interconnected bonds, but then outside of all of this is the family that Theo is constructing together through the giving of the portraits. Willa was the perfect cherry to top all of that (so far)!

I have got to throw in a hurrah!! for Mrs. Gidley here. We have grown to love the old battle ax, haven't we?

CHAPTER 62 -

It's time for us to understand what this Plan has been all about. I know you have been waiting for this moment as much as I have. Admittedly, I entered this chapter with a bit of a lump in my throat and rightfully so.

Asher and Theo, it all makes sense. The three letters given to Asher by Mr. Ponder were pure perfection. To hear Theo talk to us one more time, even if it was only through his letters, was a true gift. But wait! We have to back up a moment, because Allen Levi prepares us for what is about to happen with Asher pulling the blue cloth off of the painting and noticing that even though it is a beautiful portrait of him, it's Theo's eyes that stare back.

Theo tells Asher about a valuable lesson he learned in his life. It is a father passing down words of wisdom similarily to Solomon from the book of Proverbs in the Bible. There was a period in his life that he didn't realize was the most precious time he would ever have until it was gone and couldn't be brought back, a time when he fell in love with the gift of painting and fell in love with a woman. They lived a happy and simple life, but then the promise of prestige, fame, and money came crashing through, and Theo chose those over the relationship. (Is anyone feeling a Scrooge vibe from A Christmas Carol here?) Too late, he realized what he had lost, and it was gone. For one fleeting second, he got to speak into the young boy's life that was the lasting result of that moment just like a fisherman once spoke into his. TIme passed by and as he looked back, he realized that what was left of true value was in Golden where for one season of his life he could use the result of his gift for good in other people's lives, and that is what we are privileged to see here.

I have to stop here a moment and just ask the question directly that Allen Levi is asking each of us through this story. How are we using our time and talents that we have been given? Are we using them to build our own kingdom or to further the Kingdom of our Heavenly Father, who Theo refers to as the Great Artist so eloquently, by caring for others? That really is the purpose of this book, isn't it?

One of the most beautiful parts of this last chapter is understanding the Me, Painting You, Painting picture, and then learning that it was one of a pair done on that day. A painting completed by each of the lovers painting each other, and then gifting it to each other A piece that lets us know that despite the choices made (that were made for good reasons) the memory of the past was still treasured - not denied or hidden away, but left in the past where it belonged. Thank goodness Allen Levi didn't do what so many current authors think is the necessary solution to lost loves from the past. One partner busts back into the life of the other, they have a moment "in the hay" that forever rocks the stability of their family. Puke! There is still a mourning of what could have been had different paths been chosen but a respect of what was done because of the decisions made. There is also no shying away from what Theo lost because he chased fame and fortune over true value, but we are at peace with how it wraps up. Theo is a gentleman, and he desplays that all the way to the very end.

As a parting gift, we have the Epilogue. Thank goodness! We know that everyone is not only going to be okay, but they are all better off because Theo chose to care about them. Now, they in turn are impacting the people around them. So now that we've encountered Theo, what are we going to do with our lives? That is the question.

I hope that you enjoyed this book! I'd love to hear about it! I am so grateful that multiple people encouraged me to read this one. I am definitely recommending it to others!