It has been a month since Papa went to the hospital in an ambulance.

A month to waking up to a completely and totally new reality.

Since that time, Era has come to Charlottesville. I stopped teaching so I could spend more time with my dad. The kids have tried their best to hold it together, and I have also tried to make space for tears.

Our lives will never be the same, but as my grandmother always said, something good can come out of everything.

Honestly, it’s hard to even consider what has been good because what has happened has been catastrophic in many ways. And yet, I got a chance to be home when the kids come from school. The boys and I read a Psalm tonight. We are still trying to figure out electronics — I am still trying to decide if I want video games in this house. But I feel like I have more space to make an educated decision without rushing into everything. My high schooler and I have had more driving experience. We are all suffering in our own ways, but we are also making progress in our own lives as well.

There is still so much to figure out in every way. But I am grateful that Era and I and our family and friends can figure it out together!