For Every Joy That Passes — Kristi D. Holl

Since Sarah came into their house with a collection of squealing, nosy little day care children, Beckis life has been turned upside down. She desperately wants her birth mother back, in spite of her money spending ways and self-centered attitude that made her father clutch at his chest in pain. Fuddy-duddy was what her mother called him.

To get new stepmother Sarah out of their house and out of her fathers life, Becki engages in a power-play tug-of-war with her. Tension begins to gnaw away at the new marriage.

But, Katherine, an elderly friend and confidant of Beckis (who is slowly going blindsomething that Becki fails to notice, so consumed is she with her own problem), helps Becki to see by word and by example that You learn with every change, to let go of what was. Until you do, you cant appreciate what is, and that, Letting go is the only way to make way for the good things. Katherines accident is the catalyst that clears Beckis vision.

Once Becki begins to evaluate, put life into perspective, and realizes the hard time her step mother is having, she decides to take a chance on caring about Sarah and believing that she will be permanent family. She tries to understand Sarahs feelings. The psychological warfare is over, replaced by Beckis helping out with the day care center.