THE LAST CHRISTMAS RIDE

...an inspiring story of a woman who overcomes heartbreak and adversity through faith and family and emerges stronger than ever. It reminds us that all of us have obstacles on our life journey, and we must try to experience and share the joy of life along the way.

The story, based on author Edie Hand's real life tragedies and struggles with multiple occurences of cancer, begins with the four Blackburn children--Edie and her brothers--in an idyllic setting on a northern Alabama farm. Their days are filled with horseback riding, wild adventures, elaborate fantasies, and dreams about their futures. But none of them could possibly anticipate what will happen to them.

One of the family's strongest traditions occurs just before Christmas each year as the children ride their horses off in search of the perfect Christmas tree for the family, singing carols on the way, then bring the tree home and decorate it.

Their lives take a tragic turn when David, the oldest brother, is killed in an automobile accident during his freshman year at college. Edie begins her own career in the media and advertising but remains close to her two remaining brothers and a much younger sister. But only a few years later, Phillip, the youngest brother, is also killed in an auto accident. It takes an even stronger faith and a positive attitude for Edie to overcome this latest blow, but her Grandma Alice is there, as always to remind her that God is using her and her communication abilities to give hope to others along the way.

Her greatest test occurs later when her only surviving brother, Terry, develops a brain tumor. The surgery leaves him a shell of his former self, and Edie and her sister spend as much time with him as they can. Everyone knows it's only a matter of time. A few days before Christmas, Terry asks Edie if she will help him take one last Christmas ride, something she promised she would do. And in that final simple act of sisterly love, Edie finds the strength to cope with this latest tragedy.

THE LAST CHRISTMAS RIDE is the perfect book for others who feel they can no longer cope with life's tragedies and sadness. Edie Hand and co-author Jeffery Addison show how love, faith and family--and strong traditions that are not allowed to die--can help anyone overcome the roughest patches in life's ride.

Edie Hand

Edie Hand is one of those remarkable people who brighten up a room as soon as she walks in.  Her philosophy for living life with gusto can be seen in everything she does including her work as an acclaimed celebrity chef, author, philanthropist, and public speaker.

She enjoyed a modest childhood, growing up in the rural south as a member of a close family that included cousin Elvis Presley and the recent winner and first runner-up on the Nashville Star TV show. She knew the simple joys of family, faith, and helping others and has always been committed to family and the celebration of life in all she has done.  That ranges from making her famous black bean chili on television programs to co-authoring (with the late, legendary music publisher Buddy Killen) the Random House book A Country Music Christmas.  That latter project will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Her upcoming books to be published in Fall 2007 are The Last Christmas Ride (co-written with Jeffery Addison) and Cooking Cajun and Creole with Miss Edie and The Colonel.

Edie is a nationally known inspirational speaker.  Her books include Recipes for Life, Elvis: Precious Memories, The Presley Family and Friends Cookbook and All Cooked Up, and she is associated with numerous other bestselling books.

She is an accomplished actress who most recently portrayed Gina Lyn in When I Find the Ocean, a feature film produced by Cypress Moon Productions.  She has starred in national TV commercials and the daytime television drama As The World Turns.  She co-hosted Total Wellness for Women with Dr. Judy Kuriansky and co-produced the TV special Holiday with Family and Friends based on the Recipes for Life book.  She has appeared on Live with Regis, TNN CNBC, HSN, NBC Weekend Today and The Food Network.  Edie was a national spokesperson for Unilever/Best Foods in conjunction with Cooking Light magazine and Southern Living.

Edie is actively involved with professional and humanitarian organizations including American Women in Radio and Television; The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation; Zeta Tau Alpha; and the National Association of Women Business Owners.  She created the Edie Hand Foundation to assist people in need in small rural communities across the nation.  She works with children’s hospitals, the Juvenile Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society (she is a three time cancer survivor), and many other organizations.

Edie currently lives with her husband, Mark Aldridge, in Birmingham, Alabama.

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Jeffery Addison is an award winning broadcast journalist, radio personality, and author.  In addition to his writing, he is a marketing executive and runs a full-service advertising agency. He lives in Birmingham, Alabama.

Edie Hand has taken us all on a journey!  It’s a very personal journey, looking into her life and those of her siblings.  Her story shows such courage and temerity through whatever life threw at her.  She handled it all with grace…which is exactly what God granted her to withstand the tragedies in her life.  This is one remarkable woman and I’m proud to call her my friend.

-- Terre Thomas, Member of the board of St Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Anyone who knows Edie Hand -- be it for an hour or for a lifetime -- knows that she is a "giver" -- she gives her heart and her time to her family, friends and colleagues alike.  "The Last Christmas Ride" chronicles Edie's heartbreaking journey as she faces the tragic loss of her beloved brothers.  Edie's last gift to one of her brothers is truly a moment of inspiration to us all, but her manner of giving is as the French poet Pierre Corneille wrote more than three hundred years ago..."worth more than the gift." "The Last Christmas Ride" is as much about giving as it is about receiving.

-- Barbara Dury
Former producer, 60 Minutes

Live and love, listen and learn, and lead.  We all live and love but when tragedy strikes we may forget to listen and learn the lessons there are in that tragedy.  We may choose to stay in grief or become bitter. Even if we don't, we may lack the courage and strength to lead, be a light to help others through their valleys.   I admire Edie because she surrendered to the process and learned a lot and is sharing her story with us all. It will encourage and inspire others to hold to the memories of the good days and continue on to create more good days.  That honors our loved ones most.  Ride on, girl!

-- Lindy Boone Michaelis
Founder, Ryan’s Reach
(Daughter of entertainer Pat Boone)

Edie’s story is so pertinent in today’s fast-paced world.  The story provides a vehicle to allow many of us to reflect on our more simple--albeit poorer--childhoods with a fond remembrance of what a family is about.  More so, it reminds me that our lives should be lived with purpose and not reckless abandonment; the day we are experiencing may be ours, or a family member's, last.  Edie has captured the soul of humankind—the family—where love can be unconditional, loved ones accepted for who they are, and others encouraged to be who God wants them to be.  Thanks, Edie, for your transparency and for allowing me to share your memories of the Blackburn family.

-- Dr. Patrick Daugherty
 Medical Director
Northwest Alabama Cancer Center

This is the most powerful piece of material I’ve ever worked on since, “The King Is Gone,” in 1977.  Edie’s story about a sister’s love is a journey that takes us all to “The Last Christmas Ride” and teaches us how to let go and continue to live our life.  I hope you enjoy my song, "A Sister's Love.”

-- Ronnie McDowell
Artist and Songwriter

“The Last Christmas Ride” is an eloquent and poignant life story.  Edie’s journey has not been an easy one, but she faced the challenges gracefully with faith, love, and hope.  Like Edie’s story, the personal journey for a child diagnosed with cancer is frequently long and hard.  Childhood cancer poses extraordinary practical and emotional challenges for the entire family, with the impact changing as a function of the disease course.  Our goal is to help these children and their families learn to cope with the challenges, maximize their strengths, become productive members of society, and ultimately to truly embrace and celebrate life!
  

-- Avi Madan-Swain, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics; Director, Pediatric Hematology & Oncology Psychosocial“Hope & Cope” Program, Division of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology at Children’s Hospital, Birmingham, AL

The honesty with which this story is told is a wonderful thing to behold. So is the courage and will of the remarkable lead character. This book will inspire even the most jaded reader!

-- Best-selling author Don Keith