One of my twin daughters passed away three years ago, but on her first day of first grade, her teacher remarked, “Both of your daughters are excellent students.”

nothingness.

Hope required me to keep surviving, therefore I forced myself to.

Thirty-six months is a massive amount of time to force yourself to survive.

I returned to my job. I took Hope to pre-kindergarten, tumbling classes, and kids’ parties. I made meals, put away clothes, and forced a grin at the appropriate times.continue reading …