three years ago...

My heart has been incredibly tender today as it is the three year anniversary of a day that changed my life forever. Three years ago today, Carrie went into surgery to fix her scoliosis. In all my life, it seems that my family is the “one chance in a million.” That horrible day is one that is cemented in my memory. Melanie and I were home and I knew something was wrong even before my dad called. I tried to stay busy to keep my mind from imagining all the things that could go wrong. Since that was the case, the phone call occurred while Melanie and I sat in the Reams parking lot. The surgery was filled with complications and Carrie had no feeling in either of her legs. We had no idea the road that lay ahead of us. That road included Carrie in a coma, forced to relearn how to be the dynamic redhead we all know and love, and living for three months in Primary Children’s Medical Center.

Today, three years later, we have traveled far and few things remain as evidence for everything that we endured. Still, this tricky road isn’t over and we continue to live one day at a time. I would never assume to think that I had the short end of the stick in this situation! Carrie is my hero and always will be. She has more strength and faith than all the stripling warriors combined! She faced  devastating odds and has conquered them repeatedly.  I strive to be a better person daily because of her amazing example.

I have too many things to be grateful for today. I wouldn’t have made it through that summer so long ago without my parents, my sisters, our ward family, and my wonderful friends. Somehow my parents instilled in me the ability to laugh through the pain. While Carrie spent 73 days in the hospital and it became my home, we were able to have fun. I look back on those days and I can still smile! We had countless parties including a number of root-beer floats with our favorite nurses. We met a number of wonderful people that still remain a part of the family. 

It is crazy to think that PCMC is one of my favorite places in the world. Still, it is home. I know the hallways backwards, forwards, and sideways. I could tell you when and where to get the best sugar cookies in the history of sugar cookies (besides the Hortin originals, of course). I can play UNO with the best of ‘em. And if you ever stop by for lunch, grab a hamburger on wheat with Swiss and a little BBQ and think of me. The Hortins have certainly made their mark on that place. Heaven help us that we only have to go back for checkups in the future…

Can you see how far we've come? Happy Three Years to Us!