by Amanda Sullivan

Created on: August 05, 2010

She looked around her small apartment and sighed. How many times had she started over? It seemed she had been starting over her whole life. Growing up she was always moving. Her dad was in the military so they had to live where he was stationed. She was proud that her father was a soldier, but she hated starting over. She had to get used to a new town, new school, new friends. After a while, she didn't try to make friends. Good byes were too hard and she decided that when she grew up she would never start over again.

She had vowed not to marry a soldier because they were always moving. She tried to talk herself out of falling for Ronald, but it was no use. He was perfect. He was handsome. He was good and he was a soldier. They were so happy together, but just after their one year wedding anniversary, Ronald died. She was starting over again.

If she had been alone, she would have gone crazy. She would have been so lonely and depressed. She consoled herself with the precious memories she had shared with Ronald and that now she was about to have his child. She hoped it would be a boy. She hoped he would be like Ronald. She didn't want him to be a soldier, but if that was his choice then she would be proud.

She sat down on the rocking chair her mother had given her. She touched her round belly and felt the baby moving inside. She smiled softly.

"Hello, Baby." she said softly. Then she began to hum. She had a pretty voice. She rocked back and forth in the rocking chair. The baby seemed to grow calm. She felt calm and she fell asleep.

She dreamed of Ronald and her childhood. She saw Ronald's face smiling at her. Then she heard his voice.

"Don't be afraid, Emma. Our baby will be strong and healthy. You will be a good mother. You're not starting over, but continuing on. One day we will be together. Give my love to our baby."

Then he was gone and Emma was awake. She felt sad and happy. She felt the baby kick. It was as if the baby had seen Ronald too.

"That was your daddy, little one." Emma smiled. "Everything is going to be fine. We're not starting over. We're moving forward."

Then she began to sing.

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