James leaned slightly against the double door to steady himself. Troy really was a success. He was everything that James wasn't. Everything that James wished he could be. What's wrong with me? he asked. James Smith is an ordinary man, with an ordinary name, leading a very ordinary life. Little does he know his seemingly insignificant acts of kindness--from saying hello to the doorman every day to leaving a generous tip for a waitress--make a difference. All James can see is others' successes compared to his failings as a husband, father, and friend. So when his wife decides to throw him a birthday party, James has no idea that one special gift is going to change his perspective--and his life. Counting Candles invites us all to take a step back and gain a unique perspective on the value of our lives.