Epilogue
Epilogue
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for He who promised is faithful.”
—Hebrews 10:23
Reeve Leonardo Monteverde
Half a year later
I WAS
holding on to my seat tightly. It was the last minute of the game and my son had the ball. One strong kick and he could score a goal—that would result to their first championship. It was just a children soccer tournament but I knew how much this meant to my little champ.
“Goal, Kuya Rain!” sigaw ni Riana at napatayo na sa inuupuan.
“Kick the ball, Kuya! Kick!!!” sigaw rin ni Adam at tumalon-talon na.
Rainiel kept running, kicking the ball towards the goal. May humarang sa kanya na malaking bata.
Napatiim-bagang ako nang bumagsak sa lupa ang anak ko nang itulak siya nang malakas. Pumito ang referee, sumenyas ng foul. The parents of the other team groaned.
The inner me smiled. Rainiel could have a free kick. If he would be able to shoot it towards the goal, his team would win. Sa ngayon ay tie ang score ng dalawang team—1-1.
“Daddy, Kuya Rain will kick!” turo ni Adam.
Nakapuwesto na ang goaler. Ang bola ay nasa tapat na ni Rainiel. All he needed to do was kick the soccer ball straight to the goal.
Pero nakatingin lang siya sa bola. From here, I could feel the great pressure bestowed upon my son. If he wouldn’t be able to score a goal, my shoot-out pang mangyayari.
“Kick,
Kuyaaaaa
! Kick!!!” sigaw ni Adam. He was three years old now and since he began to learn to construct sentences, all he did was shout. Kind of adorable for his age now.
Rainiel kicked the ball.
Nanatili akong kalmado nang ma-block ang bola. Hindi siya naka-goal. Nakita ko ang pagsimangot ng anak ko.
The game ended with a draw. Kailangan nang mag-shoot-out.
Three kickers from each team would have the chance to kick the ball to goal. Kung sinong team ang nakaraming goal, iyon ang mananalo.
Napatingin ako sa suot na relo. Hindi naman kami male-late sa musical play ngayon ng asawa ko kung aalis agad kami right after the awarding.
Ang team na mananalo ay tatanghaling champion, first runner-up naman ang matatalo. Para sa akin, I’m proud of my boy that he got this far. But of course, we prayed together that his team would bag the championship because they represented their school.
The shoot-out began. Huli si Rainiel na kicker sa team niya. Kaya tumaas ang pressure ng pagkatapos ng tigdalawang kickers sa dalawang team ay 1-1 na naman ang scores.
The last kicker of the other team was not able to score a goal.
Now it was Rainiel’s turn. The pressure was on my son again. If he managed to score a goal, they would be hailed as champions.
“Daddy, Kuya Rain will be able to score a goal, right?” Riana asked me.
“Of course, he will.”
Tumayo ako sa bleacher. I couldn’t just sit still. I have to admit I feel tense for my son. This was his first soccer tournament outside school.
“Riana, darling, stay here with Adam. I’ll be right back.” Malalaki ang hakbang ko kaya nakalapit agad ako sa gilid ng field.
Naghihintay na lang si Rainiel ng pagpito ng referee bago sipain ang bola. But I could feel the uneasiness of my child. Umalis sandali ang referee dahil tinawag ito ng organizers.
“Hey, champ,” tawag ko sa anak ko. May bakod kaya hanggang sa labas lang ako ng field.
Lumingon si Rainiel sa akin. Nakita ko na agad sa mga mata niya ang pagdududa sa kakayahang maka-goal. He lost the confidence because he missed the goal earlier.
I smiled at him. “You can do this. Afterwards, we’ll go to Mommy and watch her play in church.”
Lumabi siya. “What if I won’t be able to score a goal katulad kanina?”
“It doesn’t matter. You still made me proud, anak. And look, Riana and Adam are cheering for you. We all are. Mommy texted her cheers too.”
Napalunok si Rainiel at tumingin sa referee na pabalik na.
“Is it okay if our team won’t win?” tanong pa ni Rainiel.
“Yes. Because no matter what happens, you’re already a winner to me, anak. You will always be.” That was true with all of my children.
Rainiel blinked and his black eyes were full of determination once again.
Nakabalik na ang referee. “All right, boys. If Rain will be able to score a goal, they win. If not, this will be another draw and we need to add another kicker.”
Nagtanguan ang mga bata. Halatang pagod na ang lahat but I saw how determined Rainiel was to finish the game.
Anak, I know how much we want to bring glory to the people we represent. I know the feeling too well. That passion, that fire is good. But what really matters most is that we were able to bring out our best potential. Whether we win first or fall the last, the true value of playing a good game is to finish well.
Pumito na ang referee. Rainiel inhaled and exhaled. Lumayo siya nang kaunti sa bola. Bumuwelo. Then he ran and swung his right foot with all his strength.
The ball flew right into the...
“Yes! Yes!” Rainiel’s team jumped and cheered.
I sighed in relief. In life, as we finished well, winning with recognition is a very special bonus.
Niyakap si Rainiel ng kanyang teammates. Even their coach was jumping and throwing punches in the air. They shook hands with the other players.
Tumakbo si Rainiel palapit sa akin, abot hanggang tainga ang ngiti.
“Thank you, Daddy,” he said. “Can you help me wear my medal?”
I smiled, my heart secretly bursting with pride and joy.
A lot of painful things had happened since Agatha’s accident and disappearance. I became emotionally unstable when I thought I had lost her forever.
Nang matagpuan naman siya, it was a very big relief. And I thought we were okay. Amidst her amnesia, we tried talking and making love in Iddu. I thought we were going to be just fine. Our relationship would be smooth, like before. Pero doon pa pala magsisimula ang mas malalaki pang pagsubok.
They say there would be a big turning point in your life that would bring the drastic need to change yourself wholly. From the inside out.
Mula sa mga prinsipyo, paniniwala at pananampalataya. Lahat-lahat ay nagbabago hanggang sa hindi mo na magawang pigilan ang mabilis na pag-iiba ng mga bagay sa paligid mo.
The moment Agatha told me she fell out of love despite all my efforts to win back her forgiveness, trust and memories, it was the biggest turning point of our once intimate and very passionate love and relationship.
Kung mailalarawan ko lang nang mabuti kung paanong habang pinapatay ng sakit ang buong sistema ko ay unti-unti ko ring ibinubuka ang mga palad ko—para palayain ang mga bagay na hindi ko na kontrolado.
Sa huling pagkabasag ng kung ano pang natitira sa puso ko, isinuko ko na sa Panginoon ang lahat ng inaasam ko—maging ang kapatawaran at muling pagmamahal uli ng asawa ko. Pati si Rainiel na noon ay galit sa akin.
At ang basag-basag ko nang puso, dinikdik pa nang dinikdik hanggang sa mapulbos. My father, the man I looked up to my whole life, became comatose and may never wake up again.
Pero kahit parang pinulbos na ang buo kong puso, tumitibok pa rin iyon… umaasang matatapos din ang lahat ng ito. Na hindi ako magtatagal sa sakit na iyon. Makakabangon uli ako. Ibabangon akong muli.
Tama pala sila noon nang sabihin nilang ang pinagdaanan kong sakit noon kay Mama at kina Lana at Prince ay hindi pa ang pinakamasakit na puwedeng dumurog sa akin.
As someone grows older, his struggles and problems grow bigger as well. The consequence of every action bounces greater. At napakatotoo niyon. Para sa akin. Para sa aming dalawa ni Agatha.
Isinuot ko ang medal kay Rainiel. We just took a couple of photographs at pagkatapos ay nagmamadali na kaming umalis.
“Galing mo, Kuya Rain!” sabi ni Adam nang nasa sasakyan na kaming lahat.
“Thank you, Adam.”
“Mommy will be happy. Sana hindi tayo ma-late. Right, Daddy?” Riana said.
“We’ll arrive on time,” I said hoping we really would.
“Kuya, you kicked the ball and then… goal! Amazing!!!” sigaw ni Adam.
Riana giggled. “Do you want to play soccer like Kuya?”
“No,” sagot ni Adam. Umiiling pa siya pagsulyap ko sa rearview mirror.
“What do you want to be when you grow up then?” tanong ni Rainiel.
“I want to be... tall.”
We laughed. Adam giggled playfully. Moments like these were irreplaceable.
Kalahating taon na ang nakalipas mula nang tuluyan kong bitawan ang pagiging CEO para mas masubaybayan pa ang paglaki ng mga anak ko. I’m glad I made the right choice. I’m not really closing any doors to working full-time in the future. But for now, I enjoy this simple and memorable moments with my children.
I got to know them more personally. I could see right through their actions. Kahit hindi sila magsalita ay naiintindihan ko sila. Because of that, I was able to attend to the specific needs of my four children who had different personalities from each other.
Pagpasok namin sa function hall ng CCF ay nakaupo na si Rade sa row na nakareserba para sa pamilya namin.
“Daddy!” He ran towards me.
I carried him in my arms and kissed him on the cheeks. Rainiel, Riana, and Adam settled in their seats.
Pagkaupo ko ay eksaktong namatay ang mga ilaw at ang spotlight ay tumutok sa stage.
Agatha finally found the place of her dreams.
Tatanggapin na dapat niya ang trabaho noon kasama si Trisha. But since Agatha started to rebuild her faith again, she became active in Dgroups and retreats. Magkasama kaming uma-attend ng mga conference. We were able to attend parenting workshops and a marriage retreat too.
Slowly, Agatha was able to pull herself back together. Natapos na ang therapy sessions niya. Although she never recovered all her memories, still she remembered enough to keep going in life.
Sadly, a big part of our memories together never came back—mostly happy memories of me. Hanggang sa natapos na ang therapy sessions niya at ang pag-inom niya ng gamot.
Prince and Trisha suggested that we go to the US and have Agatha hypnotized by experts. Para mas mahukay pa nang mabuti ang mga alaala niya. Pero hindi na namin itinuloy ang balak. Kontento na kaming dalawa sa kung paano napabuti si Agatha pagkatapos ng therapy sessions niya. Pagod na rin ang asawa ko sa pagpapagamot. Ang mahalaga ay maganda na ang disposisyon niya.
She started to get interested going to church and joined spiritual classes and activities. She tried to join the music ministry. She met and earned new friends. She would go and talk to people again.
“That’s Mommy!” sigaw ni Adam, nakaturo sa stage.
Nasa likuran si Agatha ng piano habang may mga batang sumasayaw sa gitna ng stage. Behind the piano, Agatha was smiling, happily playing a worship song while the children dance and sing at the center.
Rade was singing the song too. Kahit bulol pa ang ilang salita. He was clapping his hands and swaying his head left and right. He was the most musically inclined in the family. I loved that he took after Agatha.
Nagtagal nang dalawang oras ang production. It was a successful and heartwarming one. The cast and crew bowed down together.
Then Agatha bowed in solo because the whole worship musical production was her idea. I witnessed how she worked hard for this.
Again, it was a moment I wouldn’t trade for anything. I was there staying up all night while she shared her concepts and thoughts. Hatid-sundo ko siya mula sa planning stage hanggang sa rehearsals.
I was the first person to hear the songs she wrote for the play. The way her eyes twinkled and lit up every time we talked about her plans, I knew right away that my angel was preparing to fly and go bless everyone once again.
Kung paano ko nasaksihan ang pagkawala ng ilaw niya, napanood ko rin ang muling pagbabalik niyon sa kanya. And it was not the same light as before. Because now, as I looked at my wife who started from the very bottom of her faith, she was still getting up gently and with her heart wide open.
Katulad sa isang relasyon na nanlamig, Agatha was working out to be able to achieve her once intimate relationship with Christ again.
I also joined Prince in his Dgroup for husbands. There, Johann would always discuss how we could lead our wives to a happy life—not a life without problems and arguments but life with Jesus.
I couldn’t say that I had the biggest faith now. But compared to my old self, my old self that would always seek the approval of the board members, working really hard to gain recognitions and achievements, trying to prove I was the perfect leader… compared to the me before, I had seen and understood that life was not always about that.
It was not always success but meaning. It was never the validation from other people, but self-worth. And being a Christian did not require perfection, but authenticity.
The consequences of my actions before taught me a hard lesson. And those painful times shed a whole new light, opening my eyes wider, teaching my heart to surrender.
I crashed hard as a proud man. It happened so that the Lord God could rebuild a humble and persevering heart for a whole new man in me.
Agatha was introduced as the pianist and concept director for the children’s worship musical.
Kami na pamilya niya ang may pinakamalakas na palakpak—from Rainiel, Riana, Adam, Rade, and me. Tumingin si Agatha sa kinapupuwestuhan namin. She smiled and blew us a kiss.
“Daddy, catch Mommy’s kiss!” sigaw ni Adam.
The people around who heard him laughed. I playfully messed his hair and continued clapping.
“Congratulations, Mommy!” sabay-sabay na sigaw ng mga anak namin habang tumatakbo palapit sa kanya.
We were given a backstage pass. I took my time walking as I watched my wife and children share a big hug.
“Mommy, Kuya Rain’s team won today too,” kuwento agad ni Riana.
Agatha gasped and kissed Rainiel on the cheeks. “Congratulations, baby. Told you, your prayers are powerful. Mommy’s so proud of you. Sorry I wasn’t able to come because we need to prepare the set.”
“It’s okay, Mommy. Daddy, Riana, and Adam were there to cheer me on. It was a great game. You had a great play too, Mommy.”
“Thank you. `Buti at hindi kayo na-late. Nasimulan n’yo sa pinakaumpisa.”
“Daddy drove very fast!” Adam said. “We were like flying!”
Lihim akong napangiwi.
Damn.
Agatha did not like me driving fast when the children were on board. Hindi ko naman gawain na magmaneho nang mabilis. Gusto ko lang talagang hindi ma-late sa play kanina.
“Daddy did what?” Nag-iba ang tono ni Agatha.
I knew I was screwed later.
“Hey, sweetheart.” Lumapit ako at ibinigay kay Agatha ang isang bungkos ng mga bulaklak. “Congratulations!”
I was uttering a silent prayer in my head, hoping she wouldn’t get mad. Madalas kaming magtalo sa maliliit na bagay. But I could say that we had healthy arguments. We listened to each other. We would rebutt. But in the end, we learned from each other. We compromise.
Ngumiti naman si Agatha sa akin at tinanggap ang bouquet. Kung hindi pa siya nagka-amnesia ay hindi ko pa malalaman na gustong-gusto niya na nabibigyan ng mga bulaklak. From the moment she asked me to court her, I never stopped giving her flowers of any kind—whether they were real flowers or foods that could be shaped or carved into a flower.
Agatha was like everyone else that she just wanted to feel appreciated. And she deserved to be.
“Magpapapaalam lang ako sa crew at kukunin ang mga gamit ko. And then we can all go out for dinner.”
“Sure. I’ll help you with your things. Rainiel, Riana, you take charge of your brothers.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Sumunod ako kay Agatha hanggang sa dressing room. I gathered her things while she talked with the staff and crew.
I could hear her laughing and talking with glee. My heart was full every time I could hear Agatha back to her joyful self. Siya mismo ang nagsabi sa akin na nahihirapan pa rin siya minsan na makabalik sa dating mga paniniwala niya. But at least now, she was surrounded by people of the same faith, encouraging her to keep on pursuing Jesus.
“Before I go, let’s pray,” narinig kong sabi niya sa mga taong nandoon. “Reeve, join us, please.”
Eksaktong naayos ko na ang dala niyang mga gamit. I stepped closer to them as we formed a big circle.
Agatha held my hand. Naghawak-kamay ang mga tao roon. Agatha lead the prayer.
I closed my eyes and held her hand tighter. I love this woman very much.
If I could have your heart again, sweetheart, I promise I’ll take care of it the way God wanted me to.
Pagkatapos magdasal ay binuhat ko na ang isang duffel bag at hinila ang maliit na maleta na dala ng asawa ko. Binalikan namin ang mga bata at sabay-sabay na kaming naglakad pabalik sa parking lot.
For dinner, we went to one of our hotels and we dined in one of its restaurants. We were accommodated greatly by the staff. Doon kami kumakaing buong pamilya para kahit saan magtakbuhan at maglaro ang mga anak namin ay panatag kami ni Agatha na hindi sila mawawala.
Anderson-Monteverde Hotels’ new CEOs are Dylan and Ramses for the Andersons, and guess who stepped up to represent the Monteverde? Sapphire did.
The three of them divided the tasks. May kanya-kanya rin kasi silang trabaho at pamilya para balansehin. Dylan was for attending meetings and business functions. Ramses was for reviewing, approval, and signing of important documents. Sapphire plans for the future endeavors and projects of the hotels.
I worked part-time as the management consultant, though. Hindi naman ako araw-araw na kailangan sa opisina. They knew I had to focus on another thing, besides being a full-time father and husband.
Napatingin ako kay Agatha nang maalalang pagkatapos ng dinner ay iiwan namin ang mga bata saglit sa bahay nina Mama. I asked Agatha out for a post-dinner date. She agreed. Babalikan na lang namin ang mga bata bago sumapit ang bedtime ng mga ito.
By the way, my father woke up after five weeks in coma. But half of his body was paralyzed. He could still speak a little bit. My mother was taking care of him. She lived with him now.
Hindi sinasabi ni Mama sa amin kung ano ang nararamdaman niya para kay Papa ngayon. Pero may mga salitang hindi na kailangang sambitin pa. When she chose to take care of Papa amidst his health condition, that was when we understood her love for him most.
“Saan pala tayo pupunta?” Agatha asked after we dropped the kids at my parents’ house.
“I just want to show you something,” I answered casually. I am trying to hide my excitement. Sana magustuhan niya kung saan ko siya dadalhin. Matagal ko ring itinago ang isa rin sa mga rason kung bakit dati ay wala na akong oras na naibibigay sa kanila. Kung bakit lagi akong nasa trabaho.
We stopped in front of a fifteen-storey building. The interior and exterior of the building as well as the landscaping are all done. By next week, it would be opened to the public.
I parked the car and guided Agatha inside the building.
“Wow! Is this a new Anderson-Monteverde hotel? Pero parang iba ang dating nito. Iba ang kulay at design sa loob at labas…”
While Agatha was looking around, I chose to watch her every reaction. I gave her a tour with a few staff assisting us.
I showed her the rooms and other family friendly facilities.
“What do you feel about the whole place?” tanong ko habang umiinom kami ng kape sa outdoor garden area ng seventh floor.
“Honestly, ibang-iba ito sa mga hotel natin. I mean, hindi na siya uniformed. Hindi siya sobrang taas. It has its own style,” sagot naman ni Agatha. “But this one’s more real. You know, reachable. Sa AA at Monteverde Hotels, guests would always feel they belong to the cream of the crop. You always feel elegant and rich. Pero itong bagong pinatayo, parang…”
I felt nervous waiting on her every word.
“It feels like… home. It’s a hotel where kids would enjoy staying in with their parents. For the guests, you will feel like you belong to a family. Nagre-rebranding ba ang mga hotel ng pamilya natin?”
Napangiti ako at bahagyang umiling. “This is not an Anderson-Monteverde Hotel.”
Napatuwid siya ng tayo at napatingin sa akin. “Ha? Our family doesn’t own this?”
“Not from the families we came from.”
Napakunot-noo siya. “What do you mean?” Napakurap siya. “Reeve, don’t tell me…”
Hinila ko siya patayo. “Look up the hotel’s name.”
Tumingala nga siya. Sumenyas ako sa isang staff at tumango ito.
The hotel’s name lit up.
Agatha’s Home
She gasped and turned to me. “Reeve!”
“Sorry it took four years, a miscommunication, an accident, and an amnesia for the construction to finish and to fully operate.”
Agatha was still in awe. She blinked a couple of times. She looked around, and then looked up again at the hotel’s name.
“Four years ago, I came up with this idea of building our own legacy. Hindi galing sa mga pamilya natin kundi magsisimula mismo sa ating dalawa. Sorry I kept it to myself,” pagkukuwento ko. “This is also one of the reasons why I didn’t have time for you and the children before. Masyado akong naging focused sa pagpapatayo nito at pag-aasikaso sa iba pang hotels. The members of the board didn’t approve the construction of this building because I had a different plan for this one.”
“Reeve…”
“I don’t want this hotel to be famous like the Anderson-Monteverde Hotels. I just want this to be a very peaceful place for people who look for a family and for families who seek for peace in this loud city. I named it after you because you give me that kind of feeling, sweetheart.” Huminga ako nang malalim. “With you, I always feel home. In your arms, I can rest.”
“Are you saying that so we won’t discuss about you driving fast with the kids on board?” biro niya.
I grimaced. “Kind of. I’m sorry about that too. I won’t do it again. Gusto lang naming hindi ma-late kanina.”
A soft smile curved her lips. “You’re forgiven.”
Oh, sweetheart.
“Happy tenth anniversary, Agatha.”
She stepped closer and embraced me.
Hindi pa namin uli napag-uusapan ang tungkol sa feelings niya para sa akin. Hindi ko na rin itinanong pa dahil ipinaubaya ko na sa Diyos ang lahat ng hindi ko kahit kailan makokontrol.
All I knew was that we stayed together for our children, we helped build each other’s faith, and we respected the decisions and personal space of one another. We fought for this marriage to stand the coming test of time.
Agatha and I… we were two passionate lovers before. I thought that was our kind of love—always on fire, steamy, and very intense.
Pero kaya pa pala naming lumago sa isa pang klase ng pag-ibig—iyong kalmado, naglalaan ng oras, at espasyo...
At kahit pa hindi na maging kasing-init na katulad ng dati ang pag-ibig na handang ibigay ng asawa ko sa akin, hindi na mahalaga. Ang pag-ibig ay pag-ibig pa rin, ano man ang lebel, intensidad, at uri niyon.
And I was gratified in whatever kind of love Agatha could offer me. Because it was not the love we received, rather it was the love we gave that mattered.
I love you beyond heaven and earth, Agatha. I cannot undo the things I did that hurt and scarred you before. The tragedy that happened have opened my eyes to a much clearer view of life, love, marriage, and family. We learned and got through all of that together.
This time and the rest of my life, I’ll cherish you until it’s time to send you back to Jesus. I’ll keep you safe and sound in the darkest nights.
I’ll hold you just right.
“Thank you so much, Reeve. Happy tenth anniversary.”
I gently kissed the top of her head. Sapat na sa akin ang mga pagkakataong kagaya nito. Some days, I still craved making love to her. Yet when we were alone, sitting side by side, telling each other stories and jokes, me sipping coffee and she drinking her tea… when we watched a family movie with the kids, when we held hands to share prayers…
Whenever I watched her from afar doing the things she loved most, I couldn’t help but feel the same joy I felt whenever we made love before. My heart was already full.
May mga araw na nakaupo lang kami nang magkatabi. We were talking about our children and their antics, discussing about issues and how to fix it. She would smile, I would smile. We’d laugh, and we’d talk some more. A nudge in the shoulder, a simple stroke on the arms, an occasional exchange of embraces… I knew our souls had found a way to connect back to each other.
My heart was calm. My mind was at peace.
“What’s your plan for this hotel?” Agatha asked.
Ipinaliwanag ko sa kanya ang mga plano ko sa pagpapatakbo ng Agatha’s Home. She also gave some suggestions and ideas on how we could promote this new hotel together.
We were past beyond being just lovers. We were best friends. Great partners. We made a good team in raising our children.
This was contentment.
Hindi namin namalayan ang oras dahil sa pagkukuwentuhan tungkol sa management team na kinuha ko para sa Agatha’s Home. Kaya naman nagmamadali kaming masundo ang mga bata.
Nasundo naman namin sila sa oras na ipinangako namin. We were caught in traffic on the trip home, though. Gising na gising pa rin ang mga anak namin maliban kay Rainiel na nakatulog na dahil siguro sa pagod.
I opened the car stereo to listen to some music.
But oh, can’t you see?
That no matter what happens life goes on and on...
“It’s Mommy’s favorite song!” Riana recognized.
And so, baby, just smile...
`Cause I’m always around you
And I’ll make you see how beautiful
Life is for you and me…
“Rainbow!!!” Adam squealed.
“Sing, Mommy...” Rade said.
Agatha smiled. Kandong niya si Rade kaya niyakap niya ito.
Her ever warm and angelic voice joined the music coming from the car stereo. “`Take a little time, baby. See the butterflies’ colors. Listen to the birds that were sent to sing for me and you... Can you feel me? This is such a wonderful place to be.’”
Indeed, I was in the most wonderful place a man could ever be—with his own family. I didn’t deserve this, but still it was given to me.
What a wonderful grace from the only One who redeemed me.
Riana sang with Agatha. “`Even if there is pain now, everything will be all right. For as long as the world still turns, there will be night and day... Can you hear me?’”
Thank God for the rain for we were given the chance to see the rainbows after it.
Praise God for trials, for we bounced back stronger with wisdom. We grew with purpose.
I glanced at my wife and children, happily singing our hope song. Agatha smiled with glow, her eyes shimmering with adoration.
Lord, I see the evil and unfairness in this world, but I also see You.
And when my family and I face challenges and injustices again, remind us that You are our refuge. And You work all things together for good for those who love You.