When I saw my eight-month pregnant wife washing dishes alone at ten o’clock at night, I called my three sisters and said something that left everyone silent. But the strongest reaction… it came from my own mother.

Her name is Natalie Parker. She is not a loud or confrontational person. She does not raise her voice in arguments and she is not someone who insists on being the center of attention. In fact she has always been calm and patient, so patient that sometimes I now wonder if she was patient far beyond what any person should reasonably be expected to tolerate.

When I first met Natalie I was drawn to that quiet strength. I liked the way she spoke gently even during stressful moments. I liked how she listened carefully before responding during conversations. Most of all I loved the way she could smile sincerely even when life was difficult.

We got married three years ago, and during the first year everything seemed peaceful and promising. My mother continued living in the same family home and my sisters visited often. In our town outside Cleveland it was normal for relatives to drop by frequently, especially on weekends. On Sundays our dining table often filled with food while everyone shared stories and memories.