I just recently was thinking I should close down this account.  (How fortunate we are to be one of those families who gets to post a happy ending.) I wanted to give one final update on Ellie's progress. Ellie's phone call this week, to tell us she would be running in her first college track meet, came at the perfect time.  

March 9th was the day of Ellie's accident. Looking back over the photos and journal entries from this past year, what Ellie experienced still feels surreal. I can still remember Officer Parnell's phone call that evening,  just after he'd arrived on the scene of Ellie's accident. I can still hear her very terrified and confused voice as I spoke to her, while still in her car before the paramedics arrived.  The heaviness of that day will probably be with us forever.

When we received these pictures yesterday, (Sadly, we were not able to make it to the meet.) Frosty and I just sat there speechless counting our blessings. In less than a year our beautiful fiery redhead has come so far. On the day of her pelvis surgery, her doctor told us that if she wanted to run again it would be at least a year before her injuries and body would be ready. As Ellie has proved during each step of her recovery, she would be in charge of her own timeline.

Ellie's motivation to heal and recover was driven by her desire to get back to what and who she loved. Ellie has been blessed by her running community since her start in middle school. This is where she has had success, found her best friends, and experienced the camaraderie and support of amazing coaches and teammates.  The mother of one of Ellie's teammates and best friends sent me a message after yesterday's meet telling me how it brought tears to her eyes to watch Ellie run and hear all of her teammates cheering her on. She added that it wasn't about any time, it was instead about Ellie being able to run. (Thank you, Pam Keaty!) 🖤 ❤️

We can't thank all of you enough for the outpouring of love and support you have given to Ellie and our family.  You provided us with the strength needed to navigate our way through this journey.  

Love to you all! 

Ellie, Frosty, Jill, & Jude