"I had managed to keep my composure in the grocery store, and even when I was putting away my cart back to get my quarter back. But as I drove home, the tears came. I began the ugly cry."
"Suddenly I felt my phone vibrate within my pocket, unexpectedly I realized, for not many people contacted me at such an early hour. I pulled out the cell and was surprised to see a message from my spouse. He must not have gone back to sleep after I left..."
"If I could take back that selfish, missed time over the years I would pack it all together and take us on a trip to the beach. I would hold her hand as we walked along the seashore. I would laugh deeply at her crass jokes, I would soak up her smile even as she shyly tried to cover her mouth with her hand like she tended to do. I would say, 'I love you, Momma,' cause I’ve decided you can’t say that enough."