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Dear Mr. Beck,

Thank you for pulling me out of my rut. I was getting depressed because I am going through a storm with my step-children. I understand that I need to change some things and hope that it helps bring them to understand that they also need to give a little.

I bought your book yesterday and, yes, I read the whole book in about four hours. Your message is so true that most of us don't realize that when we are going through troubled times that it is the storm we must go through. I have been through enough of those times, including being an abused spouse—not once, but twice, both physically and verbally. My first child was kidnapped by his father because I did not want to stay in a situation where he might kill me. It took twenty something years to get a relationship with my son and I thank God everyday that I have that.

I, too, was turning to alcohol and drugs when the storm was getting the better of me. I was at work and received my paycheck. For two weeks work it was only $300.00 and I had to pay rent and other bills. I sat in the chair at work and prayed for God to send me to another full time job or a roommate. He sent me this man who walked in and said he understood that I needed a roommate. That day was the day that I walked through one of my worst storms of my life and now this man is my husband. My husband helped get back what I lost a long time ago. God!!!!! I have since then been baptized and always remember that God is in control and we need to always know that he never gives us more than we can handle.

Thank you so much for this reminder and I am so glad that you went through that storm and that you have been given the chance to be there to give us the truth and to realize that we have storms to battle.

Cindy
 

Hi Glenn,

Although I didn't lose a parent as a young child, I have an alcoholic father (which my mother hid from us very well) and my parents divorced when I was 12. A bomb had dropped on my life. I spent my teen years acting out much in the same way as Eddie. I thought I didn't need my parents, I can take care of myself, and I left them both to live with my grandmother. She did her best to watch over me, but realistically she didn't have any control. I raised myself through high school. I "adopted" another family too. They weren't perfect, but they were together. Secretly, that's what I wanted.

After I graduated I ended up in an abusive relationship with an alcoholic and became a mom when I was 20 years old. Quite honestly, it was the best and worst thing that could have ever happened to me. If it weren't for that baby, I would probably still be in an abusive relationship. I knew no child of mine was going to grow up in that environment. My goal in life became very clear. I traveled through many storms as a young single mom making minimum wage and barely making ends meet. But it made me and my son the people we are today. I am married now, I have great job and own a small business on the side, and my son is 10 now. He appreciates every gift he gets, no matter how small.

Until I finished your story though, I never realized that I was mourning a death when I was 12 and all through my teen years, maybe even into my early 20's. I was mourning the death of my family...as I had known it. It was gone, it was over, and in a split second my life had changed forever.

I can't explain how grateful I am to you for bringing that to light for me with this book. I woke up today feeling different. Like some weight was lifted off my shoulders. I've let go of something that has weighed me down for all these years.

Thank you Glenn. Thank you so much!

Natalie from Northern New York
 

Glenn,

Let me start this off by saying I'm not much of a reader. I decided to give your book a chance, because I am a fan of yours. “The Christmas Sweater” was the first full book I've read in probably 3 or 4 years. I needed to see how the story ended because I find that I too identify with Eddie. I'm only 24 years old but feel like my whole world has fallen apart. I married to my high school sweetheart at the age of 21, but then 2 years into it found out she was cheating on me. We were the youth pastors at our church. I had known God all my life. All of our friends were mutual friends, so when the marriage dissolved, it wasn't just one relationship. I no longer had any friends. I felt like God hated me and in turn I hated Him. I felt like an absolute failure and gave such a bad example to the kids in our youth group. Even though some of the stuff that happened was not even my fault, I blamed myself for everything that happened. I went through a season of depression, sexual promiscuity, alcoholism & near suicide. The things only a few months earlier I swore I'd never do. All I could see was my storm, and I wanted to run away from it.

Thankfully, God put a Russell in my life to help keep me alive. A new friend who I could depend on to be there when I needed someone to listen to me. I started to give God a chance again, but even as things have started to get better for me I still often feel very alone. The past few months I'd find myself wanting to run away from it all again. I've been asking myself, just like Eddie did, "would someone really come for me?" I've felt like no one truly cares about me. That all they offer are empty words.

I finished your book this morning. I didn't go to church this morning, but God met with me in my room as I read your story. Thank you for sharing a true message of hope. Not the kind of empty hope offered by a certain politician, but the kind of hope that comes from God Himself.

God bless you and have a merry Christmas.

David from Texas
 

Glenn,

I am a 35 year old mother of a young daughter. I am an alcoholic. I drink two of the big bottles of wine every night. I am also a kleptomaniac and have been caught stealing four times, enough to send me to prison for a year away from my child. I have been home for nine months, and immediately began drinking again.

Things are beginning to fall apart at the seams.

I have been hearing about your book, and have picked up on your references to your past in the show, and have been increasingly intrigued. A few days ago, a woman shared the story of her daughter's death in a car accident, and that the driver of the car was drunk. She stated that she never had any anger at the young man driving, because she knew of the death of his mother and its effect on his life. When her daughter's co-workers initiated a fundraiser in her daughter's memory, she donated the money to Mommy's Light Shines On. I cried the entire way home, and I am sobbing as I write this - what serenity, what generosity of spirit and I kept thinking how much I want some of that. What an example of love and spirit that lady is.

The next day I decided I couldn't wait for the library so I went to Target to buy the book. I thought to myself: I love to read, surely for tonight, the book will be enough. I wanted to actually read it, so I was determined not to drink that night. On the way home I wavered, pulled into the grocery store parking lot to get my bottle, and then thought, just this once, skip it. So I drove right through and went home.

I read the book in two hours and I have seldom been so deeply moved and affected. I have been hiding from that storm in a bottle of wine and I have been stuck in the cornfield. Your simple, powerful story resonates deeply within me. I had intended to share the book with various family members today, but I decided this morning I couldn't let it go. I feel that if I keep it, and read the end, and the afterward, again tonight, it might just help me hold on one more night.

I can go without drinking for one more night because I need to read it again.

I have a long journey ahead of me, but I am hoping that I just discovered the will and the willingness to make the first step, because of your book. What a gift, and what a story.

Thank you.

K
 

Glenn,

I wanted to let you know how your new book touched me. I purchased a copy yesterday, went home and read it, cover to cover. I can honestly say it hit me hard. I am usually not inclined to be moved by written words but your book moved me into unknown territory.

I am 45 years old. I buried my father in 1993. He was 84 years old. He was 54 when I was born, shall we say un-planned. He and I never really communicated. He was tired the whole time I knew him. Tired from working hard, tired from losing his first wife, and mostly tired of having me as a son. My mother always said he didn't like looking in the mirror and that I was a mirror of him. When he died, I took the role of leader for my mother. She developed medical issues soon thereafter. I buried my mother in 2002. With her, I had to "pull the plug" which was tough, not only for me but for my 2 brothers and 1 sister. Again, I had to take the lead of the family. I can tell you how tough it is to be single and alone at 45 because I am. My family is not close for many reasons.

However, your book has given me pause and hope for my life. I believe your book is heartfelt and genuine. It does tell a story that rings a bell with me. I haven't hit the "field" yet. I am still too mad and bitter. I have walked away from organized religion, though I do believe in God and prayer. My life has been full of obstacles, some self-made, some made by others. Through your book, I have gained some sense of purpose and the need to move forward.

Thank you for such a great early Christmas present.
Regards,
Rob from Pennsylvania
 

Glenn,

Not sure how to put into words what the Christmas Sweater means to me.

I pre-ordered a copy of the book and I was so excited when I got home and saw the package. I knew in my heart it was a story I needed to hear. My sister attempted suicide two months ago and it was the worst moment of my life but it has also been the biggest blessing because it has brought my family together in a way I only could imagine in my prayers.

I'm sure this is beginning to sound a little cliche, but I stayed up and read the book in one sitting and experienced a roller coaster of emotions but I wasn't prepared for the end. Your end is now my beginning, I have a second chance with my sister and your book puts everything into perspective. Immediately I fell to my knees beside my bed and with tears falling down my face I prayed and cried and then cried some more.

Thank you Glenn, I promised myself last night that The Christmas Sweater will become a traditional read for me during the holidays.

God Bless you and your family always.

Ashley
 

Glenn,

Yesterday I was home from work with the flu and had just enough strength to read "The Christmas Sweater". I have thought of nothing else since I turned the last page of your wonderful and inspiring story.

I recently lost my father and your book brought back so many wonderful childhood memories. I also come from very humble beginnings. As a 19 year old, my father nearly died in WW II, spent over 18 months in army hospitals to repair his disfigured body, but he still went on to serve a mission for the church and get his education to become a teacher. He raised 6 children on less than $13,000 a year, therefore, we didn't have much.

On Christmas there were a few gifts under the tree for each of us, mostly things my mother made. Our Christmas really started on Dec. 26 when our small town hardware store would have all their toys and games on sale for half price. Dad would load us all up in the old station wagon and take us to town so we could each pick out just the right gift that didn't cost too much. He then would buy a couple of games that we could play together as a family.

We didn't have much, but what we did have was priceless. We had parents that put God first and we knew that we were wanted and loved.

I have a son who is struggling right now with the challenges of youth and your book will be the perfect gift to help him know that he too is loved and not alone.

Thank you again. You have become a voice I turn to, to lift me up and help me understand this world we much live in.

Marilyn from California
 

Glenn,

I also lost a parent (my father died when I was 20), married twice, dealt with alcoholism, drug abuse, general scoundrel-ism. I also had a “hit the bottom” moment at which time I contemplated suicide. I dropped out of high school, homeless at 16 years old, and hurt everyone around me.

Today, I work as an applications engineer by hard work, competing with degreed engineers (my formal education still stands at 10th grade and Army Mechanic’s School), and know that everything I have is mine because I work harder than my peers and because God is giving me my second chance at life.

I’m not a crier. The last time I ‘cried’ was when my father died. I ‘misted’ when my kids were born, but I’m a tough worker who prefers to use humor to get past tough situations. I bought An Inconvenient Book because it looked informative. I bought The Christmas Sweater, because I thought it would be interesting. I’m travelling for work, so I’m sitting in my hotel room with tears streaming down my face as I realize you are writing a fiction based on your life, but it could easily be based on my life, with few exceptions. I have come to realize that even in my hard work, I’m still standing next to the corn field facing the storm. I’ve been standing here for 20 years. I’ve not realized I need willfully to walk through the storm.

I feel I’ve had a good life, I’ve certainly overcome the shortcomings on my resume. I certainly have overcome my family issues (I’m VERY happily married with 4 wonderful kids), but as much as I’ve improved my life, the cornfield still taunts me. I feel as if I’m finally ready to step in and I have you to thank. This story has helped me make a life-altering decision that will bring my life, I believe, to the level God has reserved for me.

Thank you!
Don
 

Greetings from Colorado:

“The Christmas Sweater” arrived in the mail this afternoon. I read the story reliving many moments in my own life. My grey-greenish storm was a deep, slimy pit … an old muddy and useless well like those I recall on the always wet farms in the Pacific Northwest.

I was first aware of my anger churning into a ball of black bitterness one night as I walked home after baptismal class. I felt so alone in the rain walking from church across the bridge to our house. That was the year I was fourteen. I was insanely jealous of the others in my class that could wait in the warmth of the foyer for moms and dads to come for them. I didn’t understand how God could put children in the hands of parents who didn’t care and seemed to enjoy pummeling their children. (I saw alcohol from the receiving end of a drunken fist.)

It wasn’t until the summer of my 57th birthday that I finally forgave God. I was lifted up out of the slimy pit of self-loathing and self-pity and placed on solid ground eighteen years earlier. But similar to your story, we most likely have many storms to pass through. It may sound like heresy to suggest that I would dare say that I forgave God. But, what I mean to express is that I came to understand He was always with me … especially in the dark places. Like Eddie in the book, I found true repentance and forgiveness … or maybe, it found me!

I find it so remarkable that we have to come to the end of ourselves before we begin to find the beginnings of Life.

The book is intense. The book is personal. The story shook me to recall afresh how thankful I am for redeeming Grace. You have an impressive writing style; I could hear you talking the story as I read!

God Bless
.
Gayle from Colorado
 

Hey Glenn,

I don't want to be wordy, but I did want to write. I was involved with the story but wasn't seeing any application for myself until Eddie faced the storm. When Russell told him all he had to do was face it, face the fear...it really hit home.

I have MS and facing fear, in my opinion, is the major hurdle I navigate with this illness, and I imagine it's the same with any illness. Physical symptoms or lack of mobility pale when dealing with the emotional impact, and fear of the unknown. "Face the storm" and "trust" is really what it's all about. The outcome is in God's hand.

Thanks for sharing your life, past and present, with us.
 

Glenn,
Thank you for sharing your heart in The Christmas Sweater, you touched mine.

To forgive someone else is the best gift you can give yourself! I too lost my Dad to cancer who was also an alcoholic, I was five.

My mother now lives with me and learning that she has had mental illness all of her life and learning that she was not capable of understanding what love was, in itself a true blessing because I realized that God gave me enough love for the both of us. I am one of seven children and the rest have distanced themselves as a protection mechanism for survival, as our mother can have a tongue like a knife more often than not.

Because that is what life is, learning and living and loving and forgiving. There is always a promise and more to learn. I get it, you get it.

You touch each of your listeners on a level you nor I could adequately describe. I can't wait to share this book with my 14 year old daughter.

God Bless
Rose from Missouri.
 

Glenn:

I truly enjoyed your new book "The Christmas Sweater". It was a can't put down kind of book. It so mirrored my own past, the similarities were so close. For example, when going to my grandparents to live, my room was in grandma's sewing room. We also played a very similar Stand up for God in church on Sunday's. April fool's was and continues to be my favorite Holiday!

I laughed until tears poured down my cheeks and then I would turn the page and tears would be pouring down my cheeks for a whole different set of emotions.

About 3 years ago I too honored my mom with a Christmas story. I was cleaning out her garage and I came across an old shoe box and when I opened it here was "The Christmas Shoe" I had made her in 1st grade. It was kicked off with a story about "The Christmas Shoe" which was when I took one of her shoes, (her dress shoe, black suede that she only wore to church, she only had two pairs of shoes) when I got it to school we glued different shapes of macaroni to it and then spray painted it gold. You should have seen the look on my mom’s face when she opened her gift from me! My mom had kept that shoe for 43 years. That prompted me to write about all of my Christmas memories as a child and as a parent and to hand that out to my surviving sisters and mom on Christmas Day. It was a big hit.

Thanks again for "The Christmas Sweater." it will be showing up under many people's Christmas tree this year.

Bryan
 

Glenn,

It took 3 1/2 hours of my time to read The Christmas Sweater. I didn't cry, it didn't change my life, I didn't vow to myself tomorrow would be a new day. I merely began to look inside myself and question everything I believe in my heart and mind. But this time question in a good way. Has anything YOU have done (or are doing) in YOUR life making it better?

From ages 13 -17, my whole life fell apart. As Eddie, I was so spoiled and stupid that I put things in motion that took twice as long to stop. I grew up in South La. when oil prices plummeted in the mid 80's. It crippled everyone there. Not only going through puberty, my family and friends began to disappear or lost everything they had. I was so lost with nowhere to go. At 15, my parents were gone all the time. When they were home, they were either sleeping or DEAD tired. I figured, "well I guess that's it- they're done with being parents". (After 8 other children it made plenty of sense to me) So I went places where people loved me. People cheered when I played football, and laughed with me (I thought) the drunker I got. The only difference was that I worked hard on the farm, and I NEVER disrespected my Grandparents. It's all I had in my "family". At 17, I woke up at 2:00am (for some reason) I walked into the living room. The lights were on? My mother was mopping the floor- and she had no hair. I just stood there. My mom rushed to get her wig- and apologized profusely. I asked with all kindness, "what the Hell is going on"? She sat me down and told me she had Cancer and had been going through treatments for the past couple of years. They never told me because they didn't want to burden me with anything more than- growing up.

"What we need and want are- so many times- right under our nose". We all wish to "wake up" as Eddie did, and find out all those mistakes had just NEVER happened.

Thank you,
Jeremy from Virginia
 

Glenn,

I wanted to let you know that I just finished The Christmas Sweater and it was great! Thank you for putting this story on paper. It was very refreshing and uplifting in these troubled times. I was able to relate to Eddie in so many ways, from the television shows he watched to him spending time with his grandparents. I have been very fortunate to be able to spend time with my parents in a family business and to cherish the time that we spend together.

Our family is, at this moment, going through one of those storms. My father's business that he has owned for 40 years is suffering from the current economy. But I know that if we keep our eyes forward and keep listening to "Russell's" assuring voice we will make it through this storm and the ones to come. I have been listening to your radio show and I want you to know that I am going to be one of those people who reaffirms who I am and what I believe and will stand up for those beliefs.

Thank you again for this story and if you will, please say a prayer for me and my family that we will take that first step and walk through that storm.

Sincerely,
Stuart
 

Mr. Glenn Beck,

I just finished The Christmas Sweater and the message it sends is one of great proportions. I have never read a book cover-to-cover, but yours was one I couldn't put down. In many ways, both subtle and direct, I found myself relating to Eddie and with each correlation between his experience and my own, I would find myself tearing up and pausing for a moment to consider the wonderful and hopeful message this story has to offer.

We truly all face a storm, and at best, I'm still standing in that corn field. I have been facing a storm for many years and I believe the message of The Christmas Sweater is going to help me brave it and get to the other side.

Thank you, Mr. Beck, for sharing your story with all of us. Your experience and the story to come along with it is an inspirational work of art that God wanted you to share with people like me; those of us that might need that little reminder that no matter how dark our lives may be at one point in time, we still deserve to be happy and are never completely alone.

With the utmost sincerity and gratitude,

Alexander from Missouri
 

Dear Glenn:

I am not a reader. I think I am intelligent, but, like you, I am riddled with ADHD. That awful H in there has me to where I cannot read. Well, today I BOUGHT your book and READ your book. Recently I went through a divorce and I have three kids. Each has problems, each has issues and ones that I simply do not have the time to put you through the task of dealing with. I will tell you about one though, and this is, to me, amazing. He is 14, his name is, ALSO, Edward. He had many problems with the divorce and, was at one point, suicidal. There were many factors that went into this, and it was VERY much touch and go for a long time. This past year he has really changed, grown up, become mature. I decided to take him to that simulcast of that CRAZY person, Glenn Beck, and that show from Houston. I will tell you this, he will go into the Marines. He wants a scholarship in ROTC and he wants a full career with them. It was amazing to see a young man, age 14, in an almost standing position, in applause, for the entire show of yours. The things you said there, and also in your book, reflect a lot of what has happened to me. Am I this person you describe? No, I am not and neither is my son. However, what I WILL admit to is that we BOTH have the problems and solutions that you have offered in your book. I assure you there IS hope for EVERYTHING. The church I go to is a Christian church. The words YOU use and the words my pastor uses are identical. You expose the identical message he is talking about now, that WE make choices, that WE have the opportunity to succeed, that WE are our own CEO's and that WE have the right and obligation, for atonement of ALL our misdoings.

I need to tell you thank you for this, it was remarkable you could hold me close to the words for that long. I thank you for sharing such a personal part of your life with all of us and it is MY hope that God rewards you DEEPLY for what you have done, and also for what you are DOING. Do NOT stop, there are more out here that believe and agree with you than you probably realize.

Sincerely,
Bob
 

Dear Glenn,

Wanted to let you know that I sat down with your book last night and read every page. It is such a beautiful story. Although I had both my parents for 50+ years, when they translated (died) about 18 months apart, I felt like an orphan and had a very hard time of it. I was surprised that I had such a hard time with my Dad's translation, he was my challenge and the family member put in my life for my growth purposes. I am seeing now what a close, loving relationship we actually had although it didn't always look or feel like it. He was my first (of many) alcoholic in my life. I joined Al-Anon and found my spiritual path in April 2001 and it was definitely God's work. I just love seeing God's fingerprints all over the AA and Al-Anon program. I get chills just thinking about it.

Thank you for putting your heart and soul into this book. I am sure that it is going to touch many people's lives. People need to know who they are. Thank you also for putting the information about the Huntsman Cancer Foundation there as well. I saw your interview with Mr. Huntsman months ago, but didn't act until I read your book. (Both my parents had lung cancer)

Thank you for the work you do.
May the Blessings Be,
Terry from Texas
 

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