A Year Ago...

A year ago the last thing I wanted was a Christmas tree.....this year we delighted in putting up a huge tree.

A year ago I was despondent because I saw no hope for my daughter...now I see Hope every day as she runs happily through our home.

A year ago I was fat and unhappy....now I'm not quite as fat, and I'm very happy.

A year ago my daughter was hospitalized for at least a week out of every month....now Brandi hasn't been in the hospital for 5 months.

A year ago my daughter sat me down to plan her funeral....now we sit down to discuss a trip to meet our dear friends in Florida.

A year ago I couldn't walk up a flight up stairs ....now I can RUN up the stairs.

A year ago I never left home unless it was to go to work because I was afraid to leave Brandi...now I have no fear about leaving for hours at a time.

A year ago my daughter was a walking skeleton....now she is at a healthy weight and looks lovely.

A year ago I couldn't zip up my coat due to my weight...now I can not only zip it up, I can zip it up while wearing a three layers of clothing.

A year ago I refused to make plans because I didn't want to think of the future...now I plan to walk in a marathon, ride in a 100 mile bike ride, and walk 50 miles to celebrate my 50 years of life.

A year ago I was flat broke....now, I'm working harder and have even less money because we bought a diabetic alert dog, but I know every day it was the best decision I ever made.

A year ago my son was a college student who was living at home because his sister was too sick to be left alone...now my son is graduating summa cum laude and making plans to begin his own life outside my home.

A year ago my granddaughter made the same wish every time she saw a star or blew on a dandelion, "I wish my mommy wasn't sick"....now, she wishes to be a mermaid.

A year ago our family struggled every day to survive what felt unsurvivable....now we are living...actually LIVING again.

There are times in life when you feel as if your standing on the edge of disaster and the slightest breeze will have you falling out of control.  Don't give up because sometimes miracles do happen,  sometimes dreams do come true, and sometimes sick young women survive against all odds.

As 2012 comes to an end our family wants to thank all our friends and family...all the people who have read about Brandi, prayed for our family, and given us so much love and support.  We wouldn't have made it through the last year without you.

Wishing you all a happy and HEALTHY New Year.