Healing in the Everyday

Two years had passed since that fateful day when Ashley's world came crashing down. It was a day that had left an indelible mark on her life, a day that still lingered in her memories like a faint scar. As she looked at Ender, now almost three years old, she couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and wonder. He was a bright and curious child, with a mop of curly brown hair and a contagious smile. But as much as Ender had grown and thrived, Ashley knew that he still had a long way to go in understanding the world around him. And one of the biggest mysteries he was trying to unravel was the identity of his father. "Mommy, where's Daddy?" Ender asked for what felt like the hundredth time that day. Ashley took a deep breath and tried to find the right words. She had been dreading this conversation for months, knowing that it was inevitable. "Ender, sweetie, Daddy went to a special place in the sky," she explained gently. "He's not with us anymore, but he'll always be in our hearts." Ender looked up at her with big, brown eyes, his face scrunched up in confusion. "Why did he go?" he asked, his voice trembling. Ashley felt a pang of sadness and guilt. She hated the fact that Ender was growing up without his father, that he would have to navigate the complexities of life without the guidance of his dad. As she looked at Ender, she knew that she had to be strong for him, to be the rock he needed. She took a deep breath and tried to compose herself. "Ender, sometimes people get sick or hurt, and they can't get better. That's what happened to Daddy. But even though he's not here with us, we can still remember him and love him." Ender nodded slowly, his eyes still fixed on Ashley's face. "I miss him, Mommy," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. Ashley's heart broke at the sound of his words. She knew that Ender was a mama's boy, through and through. He was her little shadow, always clinging to her leg or wrapped around her neck. As they sat on the couch, Ender snuggled up close to Ashley, his head resting on her shoulder. She stroked his hair, feeling a sense of comfort and peace wash over her. She knew that she still had a long way to go in healing, but with Ender by her side, she felt like she could face anything. Rachel walked into the room, a smile on her face. "Hey, guys," she said, plopping down beside them on the couch. "What's going on?" Ender looked up at her, his eyes shining with excitement. "Mommy and I were just talking about Daddy," he said, his voice filled with emotion. Rachel's expression softened, and she reached out to hug Ender. "I'm sure you were, sweetie," she said, her voice gentle. As the three of them sat there together, Ashley felt a sense of gratitude towards Rachel. She had been a rock for Ashley over the past two years, a constant source of comfort and support. As they sat there, wrapped in the warmth and love of their little family, Ashley knew that she was exactly where she was meant to be. She was healing, slowly but surely, and she was doing it with the people she loved most in the world. And as she looked at Ender, she knew that she would do anything to give him the life he deserved, to make sure that he grew up happy and whole.