Before my dad died, he was put on the maternity floor for hospice. The nurses took such good care of us, and it was quiet and calm.

Courtesy of the author

Last summer, I sat in the backseat as my car hurtled down the highway in the middle of the night. I looked at the clock: 1:27 a.m. I closed my eyes and focused on my breath for what felt like an eternity, then looked back at the dashboard lights: 1:29.