When sacrifice turns into silent awakening

night, after dinner, we sat outside while the boys played with flashlights, their laughter echoing into the dark.

“I used to think I had to carry everything,” I said. “All by myself.”

“You didn’t,” she said softly. “You just had to ask.”

I nodded. “I know that now.”

We sat in silence for a while, not needing to fill it.

“You know,” I added, “I think you continue reading …