My Mother

making too much food and laughing when the turkey came out dry.

It came when Daniel toasted sparkling cider and said, “To quiet holidays.”

It came when Lily climbed into my lap after dinner, pressed one ear to my chest, and said, “Mommy, your heart sounds happy.”

I held her close.

“It is,” I whispered.

And for once, that was not a lie.

The night before continue reading …