My Family Told My Daughter There Was No Room At Christmas While I Worked A Hospital Shift

cardboard star with her name in purple marker.

After a while, she wiped her nose on her sleeve.

“I know they don’t like you,” she said. “But I thought I was just the kid. Not part of it.”

“They didn’t say it meanly,” she added. “Just like I was a folding chair they didn’t have space for.”

I held her tighter and didn’t let go.

I didn’t sleep much that night.continue reading …