Michael laughed.
“So what are you going to do tomorrow?”
“I’m going swimming in the morning. Then I’m going to eat ice cream. And in the evening, I’m going dancing with Daniel.”
Sarah smiled through her tears.
“Are you really happy, Mom?”
For the first time in a very long time, I answered without hesitation.
“Yes.”
The following morning, I put on my blue swimsuit again.
Daniel was waiting for me on the beach.
He was still extremely thin and slowly recovering his strength. But that day, we walked together, taking our time, all the way to the water’s edge.
“You know something, Margaret?” he said. “Thomas would be so proud of you.”
I looked out at the ocean.
“I think he would.”
And at that moment, I realized something I wish I could tell every woman my age.
We spend our entire lives being mothers, wives, grandmothers, caregivers, and helpers.
