“I found something in Madeline’s desk,” he said, handing me a small card.

“It’s a list she made for the boys’ first birthday.

Things she wanted them to know when they grew up.”

On the card were ordinary hopes: Be kind when you are strong.

Ask for help when you are afraid.

Never make somebody feel small for telling the truth.

I read it twice.

“She understood something about raising children that I forgot,” Kenneth said.