The printed blue birds and the black lettering stood out clearly against the white mat: You two have always been so capable, we never worry about you.

“Where are you hanging that?” Nate asked, watching me pick up a brass picture nail and his small claw hammer.

“Right beside the front door,” I said.

I stepped into the front hall, held the oak frame level against the fresh plaster six inches to the left of the door trim, and tapped the brass nail deep into the lath underneath.

Nate watched from the kitchen doorway as I hung the oak frame on the brass nail, adjusted the bottom edge until it sat plumb against the wood trim, and mounted the framed bluebird card beside the front door.