Free Snowfall by Shelley Shepard Gray

“’Cause work is really important, you know.”
    That was a leading statement if Ruth had ever heard one. It practically was begging for her to smooth it over. Unfortunately, she was no expert when it came to the correct way to handle things of this nature. She hadn’t grown up with a family, and she’d certainly never had a close relationship with a man. Well, not close enough to have the occasion to counsel him or to coax him to behave in a certain way.
    Though right at that moment, she wished she had.
    â€œNow that your daed left, it’s time for you kinner to eat. Everyone sit down and I’ll make you some breakfast.”
    Ruth hustled over to the stove and began pouring pancake batter onto the griddle and transferring slices of ham onto plates. Without being asked, the children helped. Empty Bingo cards were set aside, forks and spoons were laid out. Orange and apple juice and a pitcher of milk was pulled out of the refrigerator.
    Syrup was warmed in a small pan.
    Then, not twenty minutes after their father had rushed out of the kitchen like his feet were on fire, the children had their heads bowed in silent prayer.
    Ruth’s was, too. And though she took care to convey her thanks to the Lord for healthy food and healthy children, she also asked Him for a good dose of strength and wisdom. It was becoming a little obvious that she was out of her element with both the kinner and their father.
    Soon, everyone dug in, the children eating the pancakes like they were something special. And little by little, the tension that had been in the room like it was a tangible thing, slowly eased. And when that happened, Ruth felt her shoulders relax. She hadn’t even known they were tense.
    â€œI like your pancakes, Ruth,” Brigit said.
    â€œI am glad.”
    â€œMe, too,” Karin said.
    â€œI’m glad about that, too. That makes me happy.”
    When they were almost done, Brigit spoke again. But this time it seemed like she was talking more to her siblings than to Ruth. “Maybe we did something we weren’t supposed to. Maybe that’s why Daddy left in such a hurry.”
    Karin stared at her twin. “I haven’t been naughty lately. Have you?”
    Brigit shook her head. “Not since I washed Frank in Daed’s bathtub and then he dried off by rolling around on top of Daed’s bed.”
    â€œI’ve been almost good,” Gregory declared. “Most of the time.”
    Ruth looked from one to the other and tried very hard to keep her smile hidden. “It sounds like you’ve given your father quite a few headaches over the years. Is that the case?”
    Katrina bit her lip, though the new brightness in her eyes sparkled a bit. “Maybe.”
    â€œWhy is that?”
    â€œWe don’t try to be bad, Ruth,” Thomas replied. “It’s just that sometimes we get tired of trying to be good.”
    Maybe Ruth was going crazy, but for some reason that made sense to her. At the moment, it kind of sounded like her life. For most of her days, she’d tried her best to be positive and make the best of things. Tried to be happy about living alone. Tried to live each day giving thanks instead of wishing for more.
    No matter how difficult her days might have been, she’d gotten through them by reminding herself that they could be worse.
    But now she was starting to realize that it was okay to want more. After all, the Lord started each day with a new dawn. Surely that meant He gave each of them opportunities to make each day better than the last. And maybe even to try to obtain things they wanted.
    She’d always wanted to feel needed and like she belonged. These children, these rambunctious, restless, silly, imperfect kinner were helping her to remember that it was okay to want more.
    All of that was why she looked at Thomas and started grinning. And then, well, she threw back her head and laughed.
    â€œIf it’s going to