Luca

LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA

It was a sunny October day. My husband, Anthony, and I sat with our three kids—Ella, seven; Luca, five; and Zoe, two—as they drew with sidewalk chalk in the driveway. The whole family was enjoying the last bit of nice weather before the winter. Everything felt warm and peaceful.

“Look, Mama! I’m drawing Mario!” said Luca, scribbling with red chalk.

Of course. Luca was obsessed with the Nintendo video game character. “Very cool,” I said.