One year already. It's hard to believe. One short year ago I was at my sister's house, helping her put final touches on her daughter's baby shower, when a phone call from HCMC turned our lives upside down and inside out.

There's a painful clarity to most of my memories of that day. I vividly remember driving to HCMC, pulling over to dial phone numbers: Minnesota Medical Solutions to let them know what happened and that Ethan would not be on the schedule for the foreseeable future, Dave and Nancy to let them know what happened, hearing the welcome news that they would be joining me at HCMC to wait with me and share the vigil. Being so intent on communicating clearly that I missed multiple turns (the maze of one-way streets in Minneapolis sucks), finally giving up and pulling into the ambulance bay. There was a security guard there who took my keys and moved my car to a parking lot, God bless him. I guess it's a routine thing for them- it was such a blessing that day I will never forget it, having someone take care of the detail so I could focus on the important thing: Ethan.

We had a small dinner party today to celebrate- not the big shindig I planned during the ICU days as a happy thought, but an intimate family dinner with Ethan's current food cravings: steak, cheesy potato casserole, broccoli, a wonderful pear-pecan salad, and the infamous Milk Bar Crack Pie. It felt right to give back to those that supported us so lovingly this past year, even though the scope seems vastly inadequate.

There's still a long road ahead of us, but every day Ethan's still healing and making progress.
Thank you all for standing witness to the process, and for all the love and prayers and well-wishes you've sent our way. We could not have done it without you.

love,

Molly