Dinner was a lively affair at my house, filled with the usual chatter and laughter that came whenever my family got together. My parents sat at one end of the table, talking animatedly with Bella, who was her usual exuberant self. Chris and I were at the other end, and Shawn and Elijah, my two boys, were in the middle, caught up in their own little world of jokes and stories from the day.
We'd spent the whole day with them, enjoying the last bit of time before they headed off for their summer with my parents. It was a tradition by now—every year they'd spend a few weeks with their grandparents, soaking up all the adventures that came with staying in the country. There was nothing somber about it; it was just part of our summer routine.
"Mom, did you see how Elijah almost scored a goal today?" Shawn piped up, beaming as he recounted their soccer game at the park.
