After years of trying and multiple miscarriages, Mara was pregnant. The gifts, which seemed odd at first, were baby-related, and it hit me all at once. I cried harder than I had in years. My grief began to shift in that moment, replaced with hope and the warmth of the family and friends around me.

That night, by the firepit, I realized that even in the darkest times, life can offer unexpected gifts. For the first time since my parents passed, I felt a sense of peace and a glimpse of the future I thought was lost.