Across the Years

"Across the Years" by Eleanor H. Porter is a compilation of short stories from the early 1900s that highlights the complexities of human connections and the changing times, but particularly focuses on the lives of normal people during emotional times. Through characters like Samuel and Lydia Ann, an old couple, the stories touch on the value of love, remembering positive past experiences, and dealing with the ups and downs of life. For example, Samuel and Lydia Ann start the collection expressing their wishes to shake up their Christmas celebrations, while their children ponder how to bring the two some cheer. Samuel then decides to make his wife's wishes come true. This opening paves the way for stories that aim to share the importance of love, importance of family, and celebrating the little things in life.