David Harder is our guest today.

He wrote a story called Final Grains of Sand.  

Today, David is here to share the story behind his story.

How well do we truly know people?

When James Kreider receives the devastating news his life is being cut short with cancer, he is immediately filled with shock and disbelief.

At 60 years, Jim is too young to die and believes he has a whole life ahead of him. When the reality of his impending demise sinks in, Jim methodically prepares for his final days, including trying to heal old wounds. With a dash of life’s regrets and unfinished business, Jim’s hours are spent pondering the legacy he will leave for his friends and children.

In preparing for the end, Jim selects five individuals to represent his life at the funeral service. This group includes Jim’s boss, his personal physician, a neighbor, the pastor of his church, and a woman whom Jim was involved with in a long-term affair. None of the individuals know each other or why they were chosen. 

Summoned to the office of Jim’s attorney, the representatives disclose emotions and information few individuals want to hear. Reluctantly, they agree to share every facet of their friend.

Jim’s story not only transforms the five representatives but alters the lives of the funeral guests.

At the heart of Final Grains of Sand, this thought-provoking novel gives readers an opportunity to pause and reflect on the way they see others, as well as how they portray themselves to those around, and to help readers realize the value of one’s life is less about the length of time, but rather how we touch other people through our actions and words.

Learn more and purchase a copy.

What inspired you to write this story?

Final Grains of Sand found its birth during a conversation with a friend who told me about her father. When she described the man, he seemed larger than life, but at the same time, he had this tremendous influence on his family and friends.

I realized we rarely know someone completely. We see facets of the individual from our perspective and often make judgments from our point of view. To know someone completely, we would need to share from all walks of a person’s life and formulate a grander vision.

Unfortunately, all too often, we wait until a person dies before we discover who they really were, but then it seems too late. This book wanted to give the reader a behind the scenes view of one man’s life. The following is a tribute to the man, whom this story found its genesis:

Dedicated to Roy Kreider Woods II

February 6, 1936 ~ March 14, 2013

Although I never personally met Roy, I discovered through his daughter the truth concerning this brilliant man. A wonderful hus­band, terrific father, and loving grandfather, Roy instilled in his chil­dren appreciation for classical music and the ballads. A member of Kappa Sigma while attending the University of Illinois, Roy served four years in the U.S. Navy as a pilot. He enjoyed and continued flying as a civilian.

A man of inspiration and character, Roy was an adven­turous spirit, participating in every sport, including skydiving, rac­quetball, boating, traveling, and studying. Roy appreciated and loved traveling the world. Roy was also a wise business investor, and he worked as an industrial engineer for Northwestern Steel and Wire Company for more than thirty years.

I wish I could have met Roy because this loving man was a tremendous influence on his family and many other people. Plus, he crammed an enormous amount of life into the limited time he had on this earth. The life of Roy Woods provided the inspiration for this book.

Wow. Sounds like your book is a good read! Thanks for sharing.

David Harder currently resides in the Prescott area of Arizona. He grew up in southern California and served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam conflict.

For nearly eight years, he lived and worked in Germany. From sales and marketing, he eventually became a CEO and business owner before moving to Arizona.

A graduate of San Jose College with a degree in business, David also studied at Santa Clara University. He is also a graduate of Vineyard Institute in Biblical studies and leadership.

Follow David on social media: Website, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Wattpad

David is giving away a copy of Final Grains of Sand. Follow the directions below to enter the book giveaway contest.