Today isn’t just like any other day. Today is my birthday. Today is also my first, and hopefully only, birthday during a widespread pandemic. As I sit here this morning, I have been reflecting on a lot of things. This is set to be the most understated birthday I’ve ever had, and I am surprisingly fine with that. There will be no parties, no visitors, and no decorated cake, despite it being a tradition in our home. There will just be one gift, instead of many, because both of my parents and I can’t work right now during the pandemic. I assured them that it is fine, and it is.

I am the rain
And you
Are the sunshine
We are
Similar
In that we both
Nurture
And encourage growth
You with your warmth
And me with
My tears
Our conversations
Are flowers
And together
We grow a garden

“Does your family have any plans for Christmas?”

“Well, this year my parents are taking my brother and sister and me to visit our grandparents in Florida.”

“Ooo, Florida!”

“Yeah, no fear of getting snowed in out there! How about you guys? Any plans or traditions you’re looking forward to?”

“My family always goes to look at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve and then we decorate cookies together.”

“Aww, sweet!”

“Yeah, it’s my favorite tradition.”

“How about you?”

“Nothing special this year. Just enjoying time with my family.”

The Hollow

I’m caught once again betwixt two beacons’ glow
No, rather two sirens beseeching my ear
They beckon me unto them; juts ‘neath the flow
Do threaten to tear me asunder with fear

Their voices do battle, each other o’er me
Each claims theirs the sweeter, theirs honey that’s pure
Their rage caused the boiling, the thrashing, the sea
So wrathful my safe return I can’t be sure

Williamsburg had observed visitors from around America with different personalities, stories, and lifestyles. To her, the large, homeschooled family was simply another group of eager sightseers. To my family and me, though, Williamsburg was new territory with a plethora of early American history. The town, built to resemble colonial Williamsburg, fascinated and excited my family. Little did we know how temperamental the East Coast weather was—and how swiftly it could reverse.

The world is made up of much more than brave heroes and spineless fools. Every person in every land, of every color, of every psyche - cold or hot, black or white, sad or glad, good or ill - are part of a great story; a rolling, thundering epic, starring nameless faces and every soul who has ever inhaled even a single breath. Invisible people you'll never meet, forgotten by time, stolen away in a gust of wind just outside of your temporal reach.

I see a void over which colors loom

Waiting to embrace in the place of gray

Our children are lost inside of this gloom

While parents are kneeling to weep and pray



We hail them on with exuberant cheer

And muster courage, their hearts to carry

While standing by, they see their end is near

And they only live in hopes to bury



Once they’re gone we suddenly wonder why

With such deep dread they began every day

And looked up never into the bright sky

Wishing only to die and fall away



I held the flowing bouquet of woodland flowers in both my hands and walked down the aisle at a measured pace. Once I had reached my designated spot, I turned and met the eyes of—no, not my groom. Sheesh. I’m single. I have yet to find a man that is willing to put up with this much sarcasm on a daily basis. Not that I’m looking for a man. Anyways, back to my story. I looked up and met the smiling gaze of my baby sister. Caitlyn looked ethereal in her shimmering white gown, with a cathedral veil trailing yards behind her.

CHAPTER 28: BUSY DAYS

CHAPTER 25: TRIPPIN' IT