Benediction by Kent Haruf

In this slice of life in the high plains of Holt, Colorado, Dad Lewis is dying. He has lived an honest upright life but his narrow view of what is right has led to some unfortunate consequences.  He is afraid he will die without reconnecting with his gay son.  He bears a certain sense of guilt related to his behavior toward a man who once worked at his hardware store.  The other disturbance in this small town is the new preacher who challenges this patriotic town to consider the consequences of war in Afghanistan and Iraq.  This story has a bigger picture if read with the other books about the people and events that happen in Holt.