The fragrant pink roses on the side of our little house were in full bloom, filling the air with their smell. I looked up at the sky, so blue and clear today.

Somewhere up there was my father. Watch over us, Daddy, I thought. Take care of Lily.

“Happy?” Sullivan asked.

“Happy,” I signed back. While his lip-reading was excellent, I didn’t think he should have to do all the work all the time. Besides, signing was fun. Sully’s hearing had slipped away significantly this past year. He didn’t complain. He never did.

And the sign for happy was to place your hands in front of your chest and gesture outward while you smiled. A glad heart, overflowing with love.

Which, now that you mention it, was exactly how I felt.

Dear Lily,

Poe is doing so well in school. She came in third to last in the cross-country meet, and at the end, she sprinted across the finish line, and you should’ve heard us screaming for her! Mom just about had a coronary. I felt like she won the Olympics.

It’s late here, and I can smell wood smoke. The waves are breaking on the rocks, hissing over the pebbles on their way back into the ocean. Pretty soon, it’ll be too cold to sit outside at night for very long.

The stars are so bright tonight. Until you can come home and see them for yourself, I’ll look at them for you.

Love,

Nora