Rachael Wood

Ryan's Gift

Ryan’s mother pushed open the door to her daughter’s bedroom. The child lay still in her bed, her chest slowly rising with each breath. She smiled softly, taking in the moment. Her daughter slept innocently and she dreaded waking her, yet today was her daughter’s first day of second grade at a new school. She knew how stressful first days were and she wanted to make sure her daughter filled her belly and was fully prepared.