You know how some people are really good with plants? They feed them, prune them, give them their time in the sun – even talk to them from time to time. Green-thumbers I believe they are called. Ya, that’s not me. In fact, that is about as opposite from me as you can get. I … Continue reading →

It’s usually about 5:15am. If we make it to 5:30am, we consider ourselves fortunate. For several months, it was the tunes of High School Musical – the likes of Gabriella and Troy ushering us (however much against our will) out of REM and into consciousness. These days, it’s the dueling lyrics of the surfers vs … Continue reading →

I’m not necessarily known for being merciful. That’s not to imply I’m mean – but I am real. I don’t hold much back and, for the most part, people get to know the real me pretty quickly; sometimes as early as our first encounter. Such was the case I’d say for my future daughter-in-law. The … Continue reading →

We were never meant to walk this journey alone. My heart is on these pages. This is my story but I hope, in some way, it will help you understand your own. Click the image below to order your copy today and if you are so inclined after reading, please recommend to a friend. Thank … Continue reading →

I’d say it starts about the second week of November. The search, that is. The mission…(obsession?) for the coveted red Christmas berries. It’s a thing. I need them. Every year I try to convince myself I can decorate without them, but it never fails around about mid-November, as I’m driving around, my eyes start to … Continue reading →

We were visiting my mother and father-in-law for the weekend. Shortly after we arrived, my mother-in-law pointed out the new blinds they had installed in their downstairs windows. We had heard about them on our last visit home several months prior as they had been one of those painstaking home decor decisions where just the … Continue reading →

A good friend once asked me about my writing process. I was quick to answer that I didn’t have one, yet after a moment’s thought, I realized I did. I appreciated the question, as it forced me to give thought to something I hadn’t before considered. There are two particulars to my process. First, when … Continue reading →

I almost pulled him out of preschool because he was having a hard time summoning the courage to play with the other kids. Each morning he would exit the car, climb the hill atop the playground and stand there alone, staring at all the kids running and playing together. I’d give him my best smile, … Continue reading →

Listen. Options were limited. You could say I was desperate — desperately frightened of the outcome had I not made the decision I did. I was at the Dave Matthews concert with my husband, my son and his girlfriend, and my two sisters. We had just set up our chairs to sit and enjoy a … Continue reading →

There are few things I love more than getting lost in a good book. A hot cup of coffee, a comfy couch and the chance to step into the life and time of a set of strangers – soon to be friends. I look at our vast vocabulary as an artist sees the color wheel; … Continue reading →

That’s what I wanted to ask. And I would have been genuine in my request. If you could have heard me over the screaming from you and your college peers, or seen me over the sign you shook in front of my face, I would have asked – can we talk? A conversation. A back … Continue reading →

When we heard the doorbell ring, my husband told us to hold on answering it until he could take a quick look at the front door cam. He was hoping to avoid any well-intentioned front porch sermons or friendly sales pitches. A quick peek at the camera and he hastily made his way to the … Continue reading →

“You’re acting like a small child, refusing to listen to me.” “You’re being annoying.” “Well, I guess roles have officially reversed.” The long and short of it is, I’m mad at her. Against my wishes, and with little consideration for my feelings, my mother has let herself age. She hates the number now attached to … Continue reading →

Lucky Girl Syndrome. Heard of it? It is a popular TikTok trend, #luckygirl, that has garnered the attention of over 250 million people. I am not one of those 250 million, but I did happen to stumble across an article about the trend and am somewhat fascinated – but more saddened – at just how … Continue reading →

I want to know who it was. Who can I blame? Who was the first person to steal the decorative headpiece off of a Barbie and take off running, thereby making Barbie void of her borrowed identity? Did this person think it was funny? Was said petty criminal responding to the unavoidable delivery of a … Continue reading →

They have learned how to remove the S from a Skittle, the M from an M&M and in what temperature water an alka seltzer tablet will stop bubbling the fastest. I refer to them as the two little mad scientists; my daughter, her classmate and the two extra chromosomes between them that make handing over … Continue reading →

On this, the fourth day of November, two-thousand and twenty-two, be it known that I, Nicole Johnson, formally known as non-lover of dogs and otherwise assumed completely incapable of living among these four legged balls of fur, am now officially declaring my affection for these unique and God-given creatures. There are many people to whom … Continue reading →

The tears started as soon as I jumped in the car and sped down the road to the end of our street. “Why?”, I cried out in utter frustration. “Just why?” My daughter’s high school buddy was shaken and in tears when I pulled up beside them; my extra-chromosome-carrying daughter smiling in the front seat … Continue reading →

The house that stands majestically atop the rocky coastline was built in 1910, carefully designed to accommodate a growing number of members hailing a social club initiated twelve years prior. Called The Reading Room, early years of the club were structured around archaic by laws that welcomed dress-code attired men of stature and wealth and … Continue reading →

The email was from my husband and the subject heading was “challenging thought”. We were in the midst of a “conversation” regarding the right choice for our next family vehicle. I was thinking SUV, he was proposing what I found to be the unacceptable alternative; rhymes with ‘tan’ and starts with ‘mini’. “I know a … Continue reading →

It was eleven days and it was just the five of us; myself, my husband and our three kids. We flew six hours away from all that is familiar, put real life on pause and blissfully assumed temporary residency on the Dutch-speaking island of Curacao. We spent our mornings relaxing, our afternoons swimming and snorkeling … Continue reading →

I don’t want to think about it. I don’t want to connect the dots from one small, quiet town to another. I don’t want to feel the weight of the “what if’s” or “could be’s” as I drive my child to school. I don’t want to find comfort in the obvious presence of law enforcement … Continue reading →

I’m not much for written directions. I’m more of a visual learner and do best with a hands-on approach rather than patiently thumbing my way through a user’s manual or set of instructions. When someone tries to give me directions from point A to point B, my mind literally shuts down with the mention of … Continue reading →

I was well aware I was not cut out for this role, but it was one of those “we have too many kids and not enough help” kind of situations. And my kid was one of the too many. How could I say no?  I had taught religious education many years ago when my kids … Continue reading →

OMG. He’s right. I mean, I’m fully aware, yet to hear this not-so-desirable truth about me spoken out loud – casually lobbed into the atmosphere as though it is not altogether shameful – I’m not gonna lie, it stings a little. As is always the case however, I find myself laughing along with my husband … Continue reading →

“It seems like you know something I don’t.” This from a vulnerable and frightened nineteen year old college freshman; pregnant and scheduled to abort her child in three days time. On the receiving end were three University of New Hampshire students who had traveled to Washington DC to be a part of the March For … Continue reading →

For those five minutes or so, all was right with the world. Like a warm blanket on the most bitter of nights, my fragile mama’s soul was wrapped in the reminder that there is so much joy in this journey. We were thirty minutes out from my family arriving to celebrate Christmas day. I was … Continue reading →

His name is Fred. If it’s a Sunday, chances are 99.99% that you will find him at Saint Michael’s Parish serving mass – three of them at a minimum. Sometimes four, if he’s needed and this usually follows Thursday, Friday and Saturday morning mass. He is the one in the suit and tie; the perfectly … Continue reading →

“There’s an important difference between giving up and letting go.” Jessica Hatchigan I’m letting go. But I’m not giving up. I love him too much to give up, but enough to let go. If I’m going to be completely frank, he’s just not “feeling it”. My son, that is. And faith. Church, mass, religious ed … Continue reading →

You don’t know me, yet you sacrificed everything on my behalf. I’m in awe and left speechless at that level of courage – of selflessness – of love for your neighbor and your country. It leaves me with so many questions. Why? How did it all begin for you? Your deep, unwavering loyalty to this … Continue reading →

“It makes perfect sense and is only fair,” I laughed, the tears welling in my eyes, partly from being utterly worn out, but mostly from the deep down need to laugh. Our feisty eleven-year old tornado had blown through our morning at an S10+ rating (stubborn) and had finally departed to go upstairs and play … Continue reading →

Today, he is nothing less than an upstanding citizen. He is honest and responsible, pays his taxes on time, never misses Sunday mass, is quick to help his neighbor and is a rockstar husband and father. Only a matter of years ago (ok, like 30) he and his best buddy thought it would be fun … Continue reading →

I can clearly see my young self standing in front of the mirror, my expression reflecting my worry that my dad was not going to get this right. We were getting ready for my Saturday morning rec basketball game and my long hair needed to be tied back. I’m sure my dad was just as … Continue reading →

ex*haust*ed /ig’zosted/ adjective: One pair of underwear, shirt, pants and button-down sweater vs one extra-chromosome carrying, laser-focused, force-to-be-reckoned-with, ten-year-old child. Ok, so that may not be the definition listed in Websters, but in my world, it is the perfect and exacting visual of what exhausting looks like. And not for my child, mind you, but … Continue reading →

It was the one thing we were told we did not want to happen. The rarity that doctors have to mention, just in case, but quickly follow their warning with the assurance all will go smoothly. Due to our little one’s age, about two and a half, we were having the tonsillectomy done at Boston … Continue reading →

“Where’s the number B? B, where are you?” I was playing a spelling game with my daughter and she was looking through the letter tiles trying to find the first “number” to spell ball. She was so focused and determined in her search; completely unaware of the minor detail that she was on the hunt … Continue reading →

He was old enough that losing his teeth had entirely lost its novelty. It was more of a minor annoyance, a slight interruption in the day’s activity. This particular dental dilemma happened in the presence of my younger nephew; which only posed a problem when my son stopped mid-step, reached into his mouth to grab … Continue reading →

We were scammed, swindled, jipped, hornswoggled (my personal favorite). Thankfully, it wasn’t anything major. The bamboozlement (is that a word?) was over a pair of leggings. According to the ad that kept popping up on my Instagram feed however, they were no ordinary leggings. This particular design was one of a kind, lined with furry, … Continue reading →

So, this is pretty cool. October is pregnancy and infant loss awareness month. October is also Down Syndrome awareness month. October is also dedicated to the most holy rosary, as October 7th is the Feast day of Our lady of the Rosary. This particular October probably feels like just another piece of the never-ending challenges … Continue reading →

It was exactly ten years ago today that we got the call, bud. Do you remember? We were at the  kitchen counter together frosting your cake for your birthday party the next day. You were turning seven; seems like a lifetime ago now that we are on the eve of your seventeenth birthday.  Little did … Continue reading →

So that’s it then, huh? We are here? The little miracle you blessed us with eighteen years ago now just packs up and leaves? It feels so surreal, Lord. So unnatural. So NOT what I want. Do you remember the day I quite literally fell to my knees and begged you to protect him as … Continue reading →

I stood in the doorway and watched her go, wondering how she was handling the huge spectrum of emotions that were undoubtedly flooding her heart. She was trying hard to focus on the positives; the baby girl in my arms had never been a part of her plan. Two and a half months earlier, her … Continue reading →

I can’t stand clutter. It makes me crazy, like physically uncomfortable. You could say I’m the exact opposite of a hoarder; if something is not in use in my house, I see no reason for that item to be there. My family often teases me, as I may (but most likely not) be a bit … Continue reading →

Whack-a-Mole. Do you know the game? That is what I was picturing. Except, in this instance (and what I imagine will come as a bit of a surprise) the “moles” were innocent attendees at a large day-long women’s retreat. I was standing in the back of the cavernous venue, having just listened to the final … Continue reading →

“Is it going to hurt?” It was a rhetorical question made in a desperate attempt to summon the courage to forge ahead and deliver my first born without an epidural. I knew the answer and didn’t necessarily want my doctor to actually lay the truth out on the table. I had a tiny glimmer of … Continue reading →

Surreal, unprecedented, remarkable, challenging, uncertain.  Call it what you will; we are living exposed and vulnerable and It. Just. Stinks.  All that is familiar, predictable, stable and within our control has been upended, flipped on its head and has left us pining for the good old days. Sure, I may not have appreciated it a … Continue reading →

A few weeks ago, my son asked if he could head downtown to hang with a couple of friends.  He was going to need to be picked up, so I asked him to please text me a time and place once his plans were settled, the only caveat being that it needed to be by … Continue reading →

I have never seen anything quite like it and am struggling to find the words to describe the scene appropriately.  My husband and I were at a Mat Kearney (yes, just one “t” – an error on his birth certificate that he chose to own) concert at a small, local theatre.  The opener, a young … Continue reading →

It was like watching Rocky Balboa and Mickey Goldmill.  While perhaps not quite as exciting, every bit as inspirational, as coach barked out orders and student immediately fell into stride.  We were at our local wing joint and the challenge of eating twelve wings slathered in the hottest sauce, in less than six minutes, sat … Continue reading →

It’s funny where life brings you sometimes; down paths you never thought you would travel.  Some circumstances simply demand a response. This is one of those times and it brought me to a table across the street from the golden-capped state house in the capital of my home state of New Hampshire.  The table we … Continue reading →

Would you want to know?  Your future, that is. If you could choose a certain year in your future, say, 10 – 20 – 40 years out, and get a snapshot of what your life will look like at that moment in time, would you want to know?  Let’s say it would come with limitations. … Continue reading →

I can still vividly remember him walking into the house holding his brand new shiny red guitar.  A cautious smile decorated his sweet face, as if to try and curb the excitement he saw plastered across mine, in case this new interest of his proved to be too challenging an endeavor. At the fragile age … Continue reading →

“I gave birth to two sons and two daughters.  I now have four sons.” This, the stripped down, vulnerable admission from a dear friend over dinner.  Said with her signature humble smile, it was nearly impossible to discern just how much strength it took for her to say the words out loud.  I flashed back … Continue reading →

Dear Messy, I’ve gotta hand it to you.  You certainly have a knack for upping your game during the summer months.  There will be no idyllic instagram posts from this lady even trying to frame a reality of having it all together.  Heck, catching me on a shower day is hard enough, never mind photo-ready. … Continue reading →

Shrimp.  Pedicures.  Tomatoes. Massages.  Dogs. You might think this is a list of my favorite things.  Quite the opposite however. While some may drool over the plate of shrimp cocktail, count the days until their next massage or welcome the start of summer with its promise of fresh, juicy tomatoes, these are all things I … Continue reading →

It’s a vision that will forever be etched into memory, the unique gift of perspective, full immersion into a story read hundreds of times but never truly traveled with the heart…until now. This is my son. On a cool spring Sunday evening, I embarked on a walk beside him as he brought to life the … Continue reading →

My little girl didn’t want much of anything to do with Disney movies until fairly recently.  Now in third grade, while most of her peers are growing out of the Disney princess stage, my daughter is transfixed with the magic and beauty of Elsa, Rapunzel, Belle and the like.  With her extra chromosome causing difficulty … Continue reading →

Beautiful chaos.  That about sums it up.  To the unknowing passerby, it’s your everyday gathering of families, the perfect Friday night let down from the busy week.  We’ve got margaritas for the parents, a counter full of comfort food and a large open play space for the kids – fully loaded for our adventurous beings-with … Continue reading →

We started our day in cold, unforgiving temperatures, typical of our New England winters.  As we made our way south and drew closer to the equator, we slowly began to defrost and ended our day grateful for the warmth that surrounded us like the blankets we had crawled out from under in order to make … Continue reading →

I saw the email come through and hadn’t read past the subject line before my mind started searching for any justifiable reason to say, “no”.  I was being asked to prepare a witness to present to the adults in our parishes’ faith formation program. It’s never a comfortable thing for me to stand before a … Continue reading →

Heart-wrenching.  It’s hard to quantify the level of emotion in a word, but this one seems to hit closest to the mark.  In many ways, I am hesitant to speak of this challenge, but am no stranger to the truth that it is exactly that which I’d prefer to keep private that God gently prompts … Continue reading →

99 stone steps – 100 fragile knees – 50 souls laid bare. It was a warm September morning when a group of men boarded a bus headed for the city of Montreal, Canada.  While one might have guessed their destination to be a sporting event, pub crawl or some type of team building exercise, the … Continue reading →

I walked into my son’s “office” and was greeted with music I found to be gruff, angry-sounding and altogether unpleasant.  The curse word tipped me over the edge, and with the original intention of my visit totally escaping me, I immediately asked my son why he listens “to this garbage”.  “It’s not garbage”, he quickly … Continue reading →

Thinking back on it, almost twenty-five years later now, I realize his  methods were a bit unorthodox, even downright strange, but also rather ingenious.  For the four years I was in highschool, I was a part of the cross country team. Junior year we had a change in coaches, the new one a bit more … Continue reading →

A few days ago, I was told about an anonymous post to a mother’s group on Facebook from a woman who is eight months pregnant and was just informed the little girl she is carrying has Down Syndrome.  I was told because, as the mother of a daughter who has Down Syndrome, I know a … Continue reading →

We tried on her dress and carefully placed her white veil against the perfect backdrop of her jet black hair.  Her brother, myself and our little lady got in line in our family room, folded our hands and took turns walking up to the “priest” (played by dad), to practice receiving Communion.  We even had … Continue reading →

He was only seven when his little sister moved in with us-which means, for seven years he had been the baby of the family-the perfect bookend to his brother, just twenty-three months older.  To him, life was stable, happy and complete. At such a young age, it was impossible for me to explain the gentle … Continue reading →

“Are you happy?”, he asked.  “Yes”, I answered, overcome by this man’s selfless interest in the feelings of a complete stranger at a time that was clearly a defining moment in his life and that of his family.  He kindly persisted, “everything is ok?”.  “Yes”, I responded, “everything is good.”  “Ah, yes”, he said, with … Continue reading →

We laughed until we cried.  It was a real-life enactment of the perfectly crafted joke; have you heard the one about the attorney and the cradle catholics?  It all played out at my Friday morning book club; a meeting of four flawed, but faithful women; a small but mighty crew tackling the greater mysteries of … Continue reading →

His name is Andy and he seems to find a seat behind my family at mass every week. He’s an older gentleman, always attends mass alone and leaves one to wonder about the “story” behind this quiet soul.  He was kind enough to introduce himself one morning after mass and handed me his business card … Continue reading →

Their excitement when they get the golden ticket is palpable.  You can’t help but share in the joy of these complete strangers, knowing the  years of hard work that led up to this moment.  The thing that kills me, is that it’s no secret to the viewers how hard the journey ahead will be for … Continue reading →

Have you heard the news?  There is a strange phenomenon occurring in Iceland.  Scientists, psychiatrists and behaviorists from all over the world are traveling to the country to observe, collect data and form their opinion on what is causing the alarming changes. To date, data has proved challenging to collect and organize, as the phenomenon … Continue reading →

It was a nine-seater, eighties GMC Suburban, red and tan, peppered with multiple areas of rust.  It was big enough to dwarf the 6′-1″ driver and loud enough to pass as a large delivery truck.  This was my carriage; my ride to our first date.  It was my Cinderella moment; not so much for the … Continue reading →

You’d think I’d be used to it by now, but it’s still a bit hard to take.  I had gone to my daughter’s classroom to pick her up and drive her to a field trip the class was having at a park nearby.  The rest of the class was walking through the woods from the … Continue reading →

Ever heard the saying, “be careful what you pray for”?  A recent experience gave definition and perspective to these six simple words.  It was a lesson well learned, but a tough one at that.   A few weeks ago when we were encroaching on the beginning of Holy Week, I was having a conversation with … Continue reading →

It was, by all accounts, a normal Saturday morning.  With a one year old daughter, our day started early and by the time of the “incident”, we had already logged a few hours of playtime. We lived in a relatively quiet neighborhood on a road that didn’t see much traffic outside of the surrounding residents … Continue reading →

When Noah let out a scream, he surprised us all.  He was standing in our backyard at the top of a small hill; no one was around him, he hadn’t fallen, all seemed normal in his immediate environment.  “I’ve been shot!”, he shouted.  And the rest of us unknowing loiterers wondered what on earth he … Continue reading →

How I would have loved a seat at our neighbor’s house, a window seat that is; the perfect viewing opportunity for the unorthodox scene that played out in our side yard at approximately 5:00 am that morning.  The cast of characters was but a few; a mom and her daughter.  The scene was set upon … Continue reading →

I can assure you this was not a rash decision; nor was it a result of intoxication (although in retrospect my nerves would have appreciated a quick stop at the bar).  It was actually a well-thought-out, daily pondered, prayerful, all-angles-considered kind of decision that has now been almost three months in the making. The idea … Continue reading →

The door had barely closed behind the doctor before my husband had his head between his knees.  We were at the orthopedist’s office to hear the results of our son’s MRI on his injured knee.  The doctor’s suspicions had been confirmed and he gently delivered the news to our fourteen year old son, just days … Continue reading →

One.  That is the number of times I’ve seen my cousin cry.  And ironically enough, they were not tears of sadness, but tears of joy.  I’ll explain in a bit, but first I need to back up and introduce you to a young woman who has taught me much in her twenty-two years. I was … Continue reading →

I think the exact wording was, “This step is irreversible!”  It was in bold, appropriately decorated with an exclamation point to signal the importance of the user seeing the statement before moving ahead of themselves and creating a problem that couldn’t be fixed.  Me and my dad were the users.  And we didn’t see it; … Continue reading →

It was a classic Mother’s Day quote and slipped right on out between my sly smile before I had the maturity to rephrase what my heart was feeling.  “It’s ok babe”, I said to my husband, “we both know this Mother’s Day won’t be anything like what it’s supposed to be.”  Snarky, I admit.  One … Continue reading →

My sister has been a teacher now for seventeen years.  If you figure an average of twenty kids in each class, that’s well over three hundred lives she has been a part of molding, guiding, and enriching.  That’s amazing stuff.  She doesn’t talk about her work often, but every now and then a funny story … Continue reading →

Her name was Mittens, appropriately bestowed on her in recognition of her four little white paws that perfectly decorated her otherwise black body.  She was my roommate while I was in graduate school, my furry little companion in what was a large, drafty and often lonely apartment.  Mittens was a bit of a funny little … Continue reading →

I was volunteering with my daughter’s class during their designated library time.  Mary was sitting on the floor with her classmates listening to the librarian read them a story. She had several of her fingers lodged in her mouth, chewing away in an attempt to sooth the new adult teeth fighting for room in her … Continue reading →

His words felt like a betrayal; every assertion an unwelcome exposition of the truth I was fighting so hard to deny.  “We are going out to dinner after this appointment”, he said, “and I can tell you she won’t enjoy a minute of it.  She won’t be the one to open the door to the … Continue reading →

It’s a recurring nightmare and makes for a restless night’s sleep close to once a week.  I have to use the bathroom and I’m not at home to enjoy the luxury of my own clean, personal space.  I walk into the public bathroom and the scene before me is always the same, dark and filthy. … Continue reading →

It’s called “Restoration Man”, and it’s my new favorite show.  Set in Britain, the show follows couples that bravely take on renovation projects that most wouldn’t even consider. So far, I’ve seen an old water tower, a 100-year-old windmill and a long-forgotten school-house transformed into incredible homes.  The vision the renovators have is nothing less … Continue reading →

I wish I had video footage of the scene as it unfolded.  I can just imagine the look on my face and the various contortions it went through as I processed what was before me.  We were visiting with my in-laws and I was helping my mother-in-law get dinner ready.  She had pulled out a … Continue reading →

Our family Christmas letter: Being that it was over 2,000 years ago, I realize I’m stating the blatantly obvious when saying that much has changed in our world since the birth of Jesus.  It’s hard for me to gain true perspective on the enormity of change within one year of this life of ours, not … Continue reading →

If my mom hadn’t taken me by the arm to gently pull me aside, I could have very well tripped right over him.  Never would I have expected it necessary to watch my step for someone sleeping on the side of the road.  I remember looking behind me to be sure my eyes weren’t deceiving … Continue reading →

It was September 21st, 2010, early evening.  I was standing beside my youngest son at the kitchen counter as he happily mixed the cake for his birthday the following day.  Looking back, I can literally see myself glance quickly over at the phone as it rang.  My heart skipped a beat when I read the … Continue reading →

I compare it to the feeling of carrying a candle outside in the wind.  You hold your hand up in front of the flame and do what you can to protect it from the breeze, but there is a distinct awareness that, at any moment, the flame could be extinguished.  That’s how I felt when … Continue reading →

I am blessed to have the opportunity to speak this weekend at a women’s retreat at our parish.  The topic is, “how I see Jesus in my daily life.”  For those of you attending the event, don’t read!!  For all others, please enjoy:) In preparing my talk for today, I am left to marvel at … Continue reading →

It was one of those moments when, for a split second, I wasn’t sure what outcome I really wanted.  I was standing in the toilet aisle in Home Depot with my husband and oldest son, wondering where on earth our youngest son had gone to in the two seconds I had turned my head.  No … Continue reading →

He called me in the morning and asked me to get up and get ready; he would be there in an hour to pick me up.  He didn’t give me any information, other than to tell me to dress warm and prepare for an adventure.  When we arrived in the heart of New York City, … Continue reading →

The room was silent, uncomfortably so.  My husband was supposed to be speaking, sharing with a group of people our story of adoption.  He had reached a point in his witness where he had become overwhelmed with emotion and he was struggling to continue.  We all sat and watched, frozen in our helplessness.  And then, … Continue reading →