The walls got a new coat of paint, and the old electrical was updated to code, along with modern plumbing and top-notch appliances. New furniture arrived daily. The backyard garden was a labor of love between the four of us, something we were still working on today. But seeing the roses I had planted so long ago blooming so beautifully, and Savannah’s face light up when she saw them made it all worthwhile.

Every goddamn second of it.

I couldn’t wait to see her face.

It’s funny how life works out sometimes. You think you’ve got everything figured out, down to the last little detail. You’ve planned every bit of your life, down to how your days will look. Marriage, traveling, kids, work, success…whatever it may be. You spend your time striving for these goals, ignoring everything else along the way, because to you, that isn’t “success.” It isn’t quantitative, so it doesn’t register. Instead, you keep your blinders on, still running towards your goal.

And then one day, something happens to shift your focus. Reality smacks you in the face, making you realize what was important all along. And the important parts? They’re all those little moments you don’t think will add up to much. But when you put them all together, the most amazing colors emerge in the tapestry of your life.

A hundred and twenty years ago, I wouldn’t have bet anything, not one cent of my riches, this would be life today.

Fifty years ago, I wouldn’t have believed I would ever be happy. Loved.

Ten years ago, I wouldn’t have believed I would choose to ever remain in this house, of my own free will.

Yet, here I was. Savannah sprawled out on the blanket next to me, her golden head in my lap. I brushed the loose tendrils away from her face just for an excuse to touch her. She said she was going to read a book Luther had brought home from the town library for her–a place I wished he never realized existed–but she was snoring softly. The book rested on her chest, still held open with her fingers. It looked like it was about to slip.

Trying not to wake her, I snuck the book from her hands, sliding her bookmark into place and placing it next to her. I smiled as I listened to the gentle sounds of her sleeping. It was an absolutely beautiful day, and we had come out to the garden to take advantage of the sunshine. Although, in all honesty, you would usually find us outside unless a snowstorm was rolling in. We had enough of the inside. Our souls wanted to breathe the fresh air, and feel the sun on our faces.

“Don’t tell me she fell asleep again.”