She’d dressed in a navy blue suit—blue because she’d heard somewhere that the color symbolized sincerity—with a red blouse, for a pop of powerful, confident color. She could use all the confidence she could get.

Sandi surveyed herself in the mirror once more. Much was riding on this trip to the bank. She simply couldn’t fail Granny and Gramps in their hour of need! Although Granny insisted that God would somehow make a way to supply their needs. “Not necessarily our frivolous wants, mind you,” she was always quick to explain to Sandi, “but certainly our ‘daily bread’ kinds of needs.” Sandi wasn’t so sure of that. She wished she could believe unquestioningly, herself, but . . .

No, she wouldn’t dwell on the negative parts of her past. She was determined to put the sadness behind her. After all, there was no place to go but up.

Forcing a smile onto her face and a spring in her step, she went down the stairs, where she picked up the messenger bag–style black pocketbook that matched her sensible pumps. I sure hope I look like someone the bank would want to give a loan, she thought as she locked the front door and dropped the key into her purse.

Anita Hodges, R.N., awoke to the sound of her alarm clock. She had slept at least seven hours, but why did it feel like less?

She stopped by her daughter’s room on the way to the kitchen. Precocious four-year-old Jennifer never ceased to amaze Anita.

“Wake up, sweetheart. Get dressed while I fix your breakfast.” She turned and headed out of the room.

Jennifer sat up, rubbing her eyes. “Hey, Mom?”

“Yeah, sweetheart?”

“I ’cided what I want for my birfday.”

“Really? And what would that be?”

“A heart neckless.”

“A heart necklace? You want a necklace shaped like a heart?”

“Noooo, Mom. It’s a neckless with a heart on it that holds pichures. You know.”

“And just what kind of pichures would you put in there?”

Jennifer looked at her with big, brown eyes. “Of us, ’course. You always put pichures of who you love in hearts.”

Anita wrapped her arms around her little princess. “How silly of me not to know that.” She kissed Jennifer on the forehead. “Well, get dressed and we’ll talk about that later.”