tal clung to the air like a remin

beside her father's hospital bed, he

f machines fil

ed smaller beneath

s face didn't hide the g

wn and unwavering-wer

ong. Stil

d, pulling the m

hing we need t

placing a cool hand on his forehead. "Dad, pleas

if you keep ignoring me," he

joke landed like a

whispered, tears strea

ll nee

ys been stro

lve, and yet you handled the guests, the arran

red that day too clearly. The look on his face

house that night, sobbing into his

ling faintly. "Even when you wanted to. Yo

I'm so tired now

hen coughed, his body tr

im steady. "Please,

said between s

wait. And I need you

ack down, gripping his frail hand in

lift her onto his shoulders when she wanted to ta

a kind man. He's not warm or loving. But he's the only one

g about Nathan's proposal. Even the pop

imagined marrying," Pasto

rry someone like me. A ma

used to draw our wedding in my school

ckled. "Who'd preach in the streets and

mile faded quickly. "T

ybe Jared doesn't come with a grand entranc

. "Nathan i

s... might not be

wly, not ready

ld've agreed to this?

ieved in sacrifice. But she also believed in purpose. If she wer

was q

wouldn't bring this to you if I

bitterly. "There's no love. Ju

en marriages built on less. And I've also seen mar

her hands together

esus for another w

rgery within the next few weeks.

ghtened. Tha

ook now felt like

cage," she whispered. "A golde

h to freedom starts inside the cage. Sometimes God lets

ow weakened, yet somehow still the strongest person she knew. His faith had

t to lose yo

to heaven, you'll always have Jesus. In eve

rembled. "

make your decision

ead gently on his chest, listenin

tears soaking into the hosp

k, gently rubbing like he used to

rrounded by machines and shadows,

is hospital gown, but she didn't care. For

ses. No b

ow loss of her father... and th

her hair gently, the way he used to w

ng," he murmured. "Even if

e back of her sleeve. "Then why doe

comfort. But it's in those moments that character is born. Don't fo

om, smiling politely. "Vis

roat too thick with

r touched her wrist. "There's somet

d drawer and slowly pulled it o

from inside, he retrieved a

he asked, unfold

w to your moth

me. Never got around to rewriting it for t

ed page. The ink was faded, bu

oment with you. I don't promise riches, but I vow to keep you covered in prayer.

s she folded the paper again

It's a reminder that love isn't always lou

heek again. "I wish Nath

aid. "Or maybe he needs some

and Mira turned to see one of the

an in the lobby. She says she's here t

stomach

re

ather, who nodded slowly

ning of purpose often com

tching her bag and her fath

me back

be wai

k at him before stepp

ard the lobby, each step

world was wa

ply dressed woman standi

wson?" S

Ye

ructed to inform you that Mr. Cole would like to meet

cont

e meeting will be brief

m I'll b

'll let him know. Have a g

handed out a card and walked o