“Why doesn’t Mommy answer the phone when Grandy calls?” asks Erin’s daughter. Two little daughters, Peyton and Carter, miss Daddy, who is watching from Heaven. The girls really want to see their grandpa, Grandy Gary, and the baby goats and spend Christmas with him on his ranch. Erin reluctantly agrees. On the way to the ranch, she encounters Mateo, a family friend, and sparks fly immediately, much to the girls’ approval.

Erin’s long-time strained childhood relationship with her absentee dad has made her resentful, but he is a good and loving grandpa. Stepmom Farrah tells Erin how happy her dad is that she is here for Christmas and says, “being a grandparent is easier than being a parent….all the perks, none of the pressure…” Tessa, Erin’s friend and confidante reminds Erin she should look for her own happiness as well as make amends with her dad to move forward and find inner peace.

Gary continues to agonize over his non-relationship with Erin, and desperately wants another chance to be a part of her life. They are at church Christmas Eve as the girls place the baby doll Jesus in the manger. Erin knows she must find it in her heart to forgive for her sake, for the sake of her daughters, and for everyone’s future happiness.

Sometimes there is no way to move forward other than to forgive the very people with whom we can’t stop being angry. Erin (Stephanie Bennett) shows us how it can be done by finding it in her heart to respond positively to the kindness and remorse expressed by her estranged father. Great cast, good acting, the children, played by Lina Renna and Emma Oliver, are adorable.

The movie is Dove-approved for All Ages.

The Dove Take:

This is a beautiful family movie with a Christmas theme, where a long-time unhappy family relationship is repaired between father and daughter. Suitable for everyone from young children to grandparents.