This collection contains both published and unpublished stories about family, mortality, tradition, and change. In Hardy Roses we meet a first generation American whose visiting father seeks to grow the roses of his Irish home in the harsh New England climate. His quest ends up bridging both continents and generations. In The Lamp we see a young girl struggle with adult responsibilities when she and her brother find themselves unexpectedly alone in a dark house. In the Witch in the Well a woman faces her own mortality when a frightening experience makes her reflect back on her life and her love for her husband. From Ireland to New England to Alaska these stories describe the importance of family bonds and shared history.