The end or the beginning

Once upon a time two people fell madly in love, got married, had children, purchased a house, and attempted to live happily ever after. The layoffs came first one, then another, and then yet another still. Each layoff chipped away at the husband's sense of self until he felt he not only was worthless, but also he felt he was not capable performing even the simplest of tasks. The wife watched her nest, her home ripped to pieces again and again and her children live in fear. Picking up without a backward glance the wife continued to support and move her family forward. Leaving heirlooms, treasures, and tears behind. The family was robbed multiple times and just when it felt like it could not get any worse, the wife's father died suddenly and without warning. He was the picture of health and generosity. Where does the family go from here? Everyday is a sea of pain. A vast ocean of loss.  Clinging to each other they wait with hope that life will get better. The past three years has brought pain and sorrow. Focusing on finding joy in the moment is the new goal. Sometimes the grief is so strong that sleep does not come. Sometimes laughter pushes the hard edges of grief away and she remembers the old life and wonders if she will ever have any part of it back.