Even when it's good . . . 
Life. Is. Hard.

Dad did his best. He left with his brown leather briefcase every morning, and traded it for an apron and spatula at night.  We never went hungry, and we loved each other, but life was hard without a mom to guide me through the girl stuff and nurture my heart. At just the right time, in my teens, God brought his light to me through the love and attention of a mentor.