"Lucy’s Last Wish"

Twelve-year-old Lucy Harper had always seen her parents as the heart of her world. Their laughter echoed through their cozy home, their love seemingly unshakeable. Her parents, once inseparable, were now locked in arguments that left Lucy feeling more like a bystander than a daughter.

The final blow came one rainy evening when her mother, Claire, and her father, David, sat Lucy down with solemn expressions. They told her that they were separating, that their marriage was over. She couldn't imagine a future where her family was broken.

Desperate to keep her family together, Lucy decided to take matters into her own hands. That night, after her parents had gone to bed, she quietly slipped into her room and began working on a plan. She wrote a letter, her tiny handwriting careful and deliberate:

*Dear Mom and Dad,*

*I know things have been hard lately, but I believe we can fix this. I love you both so much, and I don’t want to lose what we have. Please, let’s try to work things out together. I’ve come up with some ideas that might help us be a family again.*

*Love, Lucy*

The next day, she carefully placed the letter on the kitchen table, hoping it would make a difference. She spent the day imagining the look on her parents' faces when they read it. But when they did find the letter, their reactions were not what she had hoped for. Claire and David read the letter, their expressions softening with a mix of sadness and appreciation. They spoke with Lucy, assuring her that they loved her dearly but that their decision was not one made lightly.

Lucy was not deterred. She decided to take her efforts to the next level. That Saturday, she organized a “family day” at the park, planning activities she hoped would bring back their old sense of togetherness. She made a picnic with their favorite foods, set up a scavenger hunt, and even brought a Frisbee for a game they used to enjoy.

When Claire and David arrived, they were taken aback by the effort Lucy had put into the day. They joined her in the activities, and for a few hours, the weight of their arguments seemed to lift. Laughter returned, and for a moment, the family was united in joy.

But as the day ended, reality set back in. Claire and David’s commitment to separation was firm, and no amount of games or heartfelt letters could undo the decisions they had already made. They were kind to Lucy, but their actions spoke of a future that would not include the family unit she had once known.

Seeing her parents’ unwavering resolve was heart-wrenching. Yet, through her heartache, Lucy came to understand that her parents’ love for her remained strong, even if their love for each other had changed. She realized that while she couldn’t stop the divorce, she could focus on healing and adapting to their new reality.

In the weeks that followed, Lucy’s world was different. Her parents lived in separate homes, and life was adjusted to new routines. Though it was hard, Lucy began to find solace in the knowledge that her efforts were not in vain—that she had tried everything she could to keep her family together.

Lucy learned that sometimes love means accepting change and finding strength in the face of it. Her parents continued to support her, and she began to see that love could endure even through difficult transitions. And as she navigated this new chapter, she did so with the understanding that while her family might be different, it was still whole, and still filled with love.