Six years and counting

My husband’s sixth Alive Day – the moment in time when we celebrate his survival, rather than mourn his injury - has come and gone. July 28th, 2006 was the horrible day I got the call. It is extremely hard to believe that it’s been six years. Some days it feels as if we just started his recovery and some days it feels like we are a seasoned, wounded warrior family. I try to continue to focus on what we still have instead of what we lost. This keeps us positive and focused on moving forward.

We still have our challenges and always will. I have been having dreams again about when he was first injured. Lately I have reading some newly injured warriors' stories have really brought the journey we have been through to the forefront of my mind. I think I have really been needing to revisit where we have been so we can remember how far we have come.

This year we decided to just spend time with friends on the lake. It was a good day. We decided last year that we would throw his final Alive Day party then. It was time to move on from making it a big deal and instead, just do something small. I am still thankful every day that he is here with me. I am thankful for the men that saved his life and some gains that we thought he would never make. He has been there for me at a more emotional level lately and it is just what I need.

I am abundantly blessed.