Friday morning I awoke to Paul holding a tray with a cup of coffee, a piece of toast, a bowl of cereal and a card. Lydia and Eden stood beside the bed smiling. As I sat up to take the tray Christopher staggered in and collapsed beside me. Despite the feeling of being crushed by the largest rock in the deepest part of the ocean I managed to murmur thanks and inarticulate sounds of joy and gratitude. I opened the card. Paul had written:

We really appreciate you and are behind you all the way. We hope this weekend’s festival is a success!

Love,

Your Family

Everyone had signed it, even Eden with a little chicken scratch.

I wept, then thanked and hugged them all.

After a bit I ate my breakfast, pausing throughout to reach and touch each of them again, gently, thankfully, with love and joy.