{"product_id":"touching-gently-a-memoir-by-ambler-publishing-company-redlands-roots-war-service-and-enduring-love","title":"Touching Gently: A Memoir by Ambler Publishing Company | Redlands Roots, War Service, and Enduring Love","description":"\u003cp\u003eTouching Gently is a memoir that invites readers into a life shaped by enduring family ties, quiet courage, and the shifting tides of history. Set against the backdrop of Redlands, California, during the Great Depression, the narrative paints sensory scenes—the scent of citrus in the air, the rhythm of the city, and the steady, caring voice of a boy who grows into a thoughtful man. The book traces a path from boyhood charm through Eagle Scout pride, a lifelong love of golf, and the seafaring duties aboard a destroyer during the Korean War. It culminates in a deeply personal portrait of love and loss, anchored by the author’s partnership with Joan Van Euer.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMeet the people who shaped a life\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCharles Hargrove writes with plainspoken honesty about the figures who guided him: a wise father, a strong, loving mother, and his talented Uncle Jack. Their influence is felt not as grand gestures, but as daily acts of care that form the texture of memory.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFamily bonds that endure through hardship\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA front-row seat to cultural and historical moments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStories of coming of age told with warmth and clarity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrom Eagle Scout to sea duty\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eReaders will sense the crisp air of the coast, the discipline of scouting, and the camaraderie aboard a destroyer during wartime service. The narrative honors tough choices, quiet victories, and the pull of a lifelong passion for golf.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eComing-of-age experiences that resonate across generations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLife at sea and the rhythms of shipboard life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSports and hobbies that anchor personal identity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eLove, memory, and the human voyage\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the later chapters, the author shares the joyful courtship with Joan Van Euer and the sorrow of her Alzheimer's, presenting a candid account of love, partnership, and the realities of growing old together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRelationships as the compass of a life\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHonest reflections on love, loss, and memory\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA tribute to the people who remain with us in memory\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy this memoir matters to readers\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis memoir offers a thoughtful invitation to reflect on ordinary moments that accumulate into a meaningful life. It may illuminate resilience, gratitude, and the quiet beauty of being human, without promising outcomes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"product-faq-snippet\"\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-q\"\u003eQ: What is Touching Gently about?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-a\"\u003eA: A coming-of-age memoir set in Redlands during the Great Depression, it follows family bonds, wartime service, and the enduring love that shapes a life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"faq-item\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-q\"\u003eQ: Who would enjoy this memoir?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"faq-a\"\u003eA: Readers who enjoy intimate family narratives, resilience, and historical context through personal perspective will find moving portraits, relatable moments, and a heartfelt tribute to enduring relationships.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e","brand":"Ambler Publishing Company","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53080802590831,"sku":"1734045620","price":29.02,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/7354\/2767\/files\/ambler-publishing-touching-gently-memoir-cover.jpg?v=1778569997","url":"https:\/\/golfavero.com\/products\/touching-gently-a-memoir-by-ambler-publishing-company-redlands-roots-war-service-and-enduring-love","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}