if you join us right now,
together we can
turn the tide.

■

10 years earlier 

Peggy sat on her driveway, smiling as she drew a rainbow with chalk. The powder covered her new sun dress and her hands and knees, but she didn't care. All she knew was that she was having fun. 

Her mother rounded the corner in her car, stopping once she saw her youngest daughter. Peggy jumped up with a wide smile and waved giddily, accidentally wiping yellow chalk dust over her cheek. 

Her mother chuckled and waved back, happy to see her daughter. She had a long day at work, and she couldn't wait to spend the rest of the day with her beloved family. 

Peggy skipped into the grass, making way for her mom to park. She parked, carefully, and avoiding the chalk drawings that the eight year old had made. 

"Mommy!" she called as her mom got out of her car, slinging her purse over her shoulder. 

"Hey, Peggy!" she hugged her daughter tightly, a smile spreading across her face. "Where are you sisters and dad?" 

"Daddy went to the store to get something and Angelica and Eliza are upstairs playing with their dolls. They wouldn't let me play too because they said I have cooties." Peggy said with a frown, rubbing her arm gently. 

"Wait, dad left you guys here? Alone?" her mom questioned, raising her eyebrows. 

Peggy nodded. "He told us that it didn't really matter if anything happened to us, because it wouldn't be his responsibility anyways." 

Her mom tried to hide her anger. "Oh, okay." she stood up and dusted off her pants, which had red chalk dust sticking to them. "I shall have a talk with daddy later about this." she smiled at Peggy, "And responsibility, that's a pretty big word." 

"Yeah, but I'm smart!" Peggy claimed, throwing her hands in the air. 

Her mom laughed. "Okay, I will go change into some other clothes, say hi to your sisters, and then I will come play with you, okay?" 

Peggy nodded. "Yay!" 

"Oh, Peggy!" her mom unlocked her car again, walking over to the passenger side, where she pulled something out, sticking it behind her back. "I got you something on my way home." 

Peggy squealed in excitement. "Oh, what is it? What is it?" 

Her mom smiled and pulled out a red rose from behind her back, presenting it to the smaller girl. 

"A flower?" Peggy asked, taking it slowly. "It's very pretty." 

"It's more than just a flower, Peggy." her mom said, kneeling down to her height once more. 

"What is it then?" Peggy asked quizzically. 

"It is the symbol for love." Her mom whispered. "If I want to teach you anything, I would want to teach you that love is what makes the world such a beautiful place. Not just love for others, but for yourself. I want you to give a rose to the things you love most in this life, and I want you to give one to yourself someday." 

"To me?" Peggy asked, examining the soft petals that made the plant blossom with beauty. 

Her mother nodded. "There might be a time when you don't like yourself too much, but no matter what, this rose will remind you that love is the most powerful force. Love can heal." 

That rose wilted when her mother passed. 

(565 words)