Monday, May 17, 2020

I am writing this before it goes dark. I missed last night and I had to look to see the date from the previous journal date. I am driven not to lose me during this dark time in human history, but as the sun sank and twilight dimmed into night, the neighbors' lights were not visible. Both the Stanleys and the Mitchells are normally visible through the foliage down the road but darkness was the only thing to greet us. Gary and I used up some precious gas to check on other lights and there was no power. We turned our power off so as not to draw attention to ourselves. What would happen if others saw the lights on in our camper? Just the firelight greeted us for the majority of the night. The full moon gleamed overhead the rest, lighting the woods for miles around in its black and white glow.

These events overshadowed the joy earlier of the celebration of Danny's birthday. He was overjoyed at his wooden peg leg. He limped around with it and the cane that Gary carved for him and we feasted on the cake made in the dutch oven made by Cassy. It was a joyous day. My boy lived to see thirteen and it was something I had given up hope on back in April. I have to admit that I cried today. I want to remember I cried today. It lets me know I am still human. After what I have done over the past week and what I will need to do in the future to ensure the survival of my family, I want this diary entry to reflect that at one point, James D. Garfield, was in fact, a respectable human and I hope I will be again.