One year ago today...

Image via Urban East Portraits

One year ago today I wrote this post about my sister Natalie. She was in a horrible car accident that took the life of her good friend Shelby and put her in the hospital in critical condition. When I heard the news I was at Target shopping with my kids and thought I might pass out. I had to sit down. I didn't know what this meant for her, and it scared me to death. All I kept thinking was that I wanted to be there, but I couldn't.

Having to be here, several states away, and just wait for phone call updates was painful. I didn't really have a choice but to keep going though. My kids and husband needed me. So I waited, and I would jump every time the phone rang. Updates were DAYS apart sometimes and that was hard. She was in a coma for a few weeks and I started to worry she'd never come out of it. She did though, and made an AMAZING recovery. Even though at the time it felt like forever, she was only in the hospital from January 7th until February - just after Valentines day. (I can't remember the exact date.)

To keep myself from going crazy from not being there I started a website for her right after the accident happened to keep people updated on her status, and that helped me feel more connected to the situation and to her. It was great to hear all the comments from people who know and love her, and from a lot of people who had never even met her but who had heard her story and were cheering her on and praying for her. I know it was through the power of prayer and the faith of us all that helped her recover so quickly.

I love my sister so much and I'm so proud of her and all the hard work it took to recover to the point she's at today. She's back in school finishing her senior year and although she may not be tumbling anymore she's still a cheerleader and is still able to be in choir and on yearbook. She's walking and running and still doing all the things she loves to do. Just to look at her you wouldn't know she'd been in an accident; except for a small scar on her neck.

I did get the chance to visit her in the hospital during her last few weeks there and watched as she relearned how to walk and write and even use a fork or open her mouth all the way (from having jaw surgery). So to see her now, being able to do all those things (and more) with out a problem, is amazing.

This hasn't been an easy year for her by any means, but she's gotten through it and has come a long way in the process. I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father decided to let her finish her journey here with us. I don't know what He has in store for her but I know that she's capable of great things and I'm looking forward to seeing what this next year brings for her.

I love you Natalie!