LOVES TRAILS: A JOURNEY OF FORGIVENESS

ly at the wall, her eyes red and puffy from crying. My little brother, Sam, and my sister, Lily, who are 9-year-old twins, were sitting on the floor, lo

struggle to find the right words. How do you explain to two

oday was really tough. The judge said that Dad

nked at me, trying to make sense of what I had just said

y. "Dad didn't do anything wrong. But sometimes, things don't work out the way they

owing as she tried to piece it all together.

a special place called a prison," I explained as gently as I could. "It's where

d into tears, and she clutched her favorite stuffed animal c

e to be strong for him. We'll visit him as much as we can, and w

hrough the tension. "But who's go

'm going to do my best to help Mom with everything. I'll get a job

ce filled with concern. "Jake, you need to focus on school. Yo

I have to, Mom. Dad would want me to step up and help

me. I fished it out and saw an unknown number on

ll

Johnson?" a ma

this i

ur application for the receptionist position. I'd li

e of weeks ago, hoping to earn some extra money on the side. I hadn

d," I said, trying to keep th

come in tomorrow for training? We're l

do that. Than

a mix of hope and fear. "Mom, I got the job. I

Jake, what about school?

Sam. The job is only part-time. I'll still go to scho

Jake, I told you, I don't want you working. Your educa

y didn't have a choice. "Mom, I know school is important, but we need the money. Wi

oom quiet except for the sound of our breathing. It felt like everything was fal

e, I just don't want you to be overwhelmed. You're on

I have to. We're going to get thro

Jake. But promise me you won't let your

d, hoping I could

t used to our new reality. But deep down

wasn't sure I could fill,

lly understand what was happening. I was ten years older t

I used to think he was amazing for all he did, but now... it feels like all that hard work had turned

Would I be able to juggle school and work? This felt like the beginning of a long, uncertain journey. And then there was something about