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I patted my floury hands on the dough, rolling and kneading it around. I had to make a dozen cupcakes my Friday. It wouldn’t be easy. People judged me because I was different. Slow. Behind on my studies. But give me a cooking task, and I’ll fulfill it like you wouldn’t believe.

I look up at the stars, a playground for someone to explore. The moon is platinum against the darkness of the sky. It’s face is shining down toward mine. I find comfort in it, comfort in the thought that at least someone is watching me, at least someone cares, even if they’re make believe. I [...]

The president looked up. He smiled. “Good morning, Americans. Today is Thanksgiving.” He continued to smile, even though he felt his wife’s hand on his shoulder. “Do you know what that means? It’s a time to be thankful for what you have. I’m thankful for my life, my country, and my role here as president.”

“Wow,” I breathed. The view from the mountaintop was stunning. The pinnacles of vast and heavy creations gleamed, glimmered and shone in the early morning light. The sun’s rays peaked from behind them, slowly gaining confidence and rising into the sky. I wish I’d had my camera… The moment was too beautiful to forget.

I shook my head back and let the noise escape me. It felt so good to laugh, to chortle, to chuckle. I hadn’t done it in years; since Dad’s passing, in fact. But something about Charlie made me laugh. It felt good, sitting there, holding my cup of coffee on the corner coffee shop between [...]

I picked up a bowl of soup from the local market that day, hat and gloves still on my head and hands. It was a long, long day at work, let me tell you. But I felt like soup, the comfort food, would cheer me up. Then I read about a teen’s suicide in the [...]