I reminded him that changing a budget was not a judgment on the value of his life.

We canceled a trip we’d once planned to take to a resort.

We kept a modest emergency fund and made sure to ask about assistance programs and leave benefits.

I took on more hours at my own job only when my sister could reliably help with Sadie, because exhaustion was not a solution we wanted to repeat.

One afternoon Sadie overheard us discussing the cost of appointments.

Later she offered her collection of coins in a little tin.