Marga spotted me instantly, her little face lighting up like a sunrise breaking through storm clouds. She shoved herself from Elijah’s lap, running with that wild, unrestrained energy children carried like a secret superpower.

“Mommy!” she shouted, arms flung wide, tiny feet barely touching the floor as she barreled toward me.

I knelt, opening my arms as she collided into me with a hug so forceful I stumbled backward onto the sofa, laughter bubbling out of both of us. Her hair smelled ...