September 1st, 2012 to September 10th, 2012: the time span that changed my family's life forever. I've written about my brother's accident before, but on September 1st of this year, we celebrated the 4th year of Colin still being with us. So many things went wrong that day and have gone wrong since. The accident, the amputation, my development of depression and anxiety, the emotional separation of my family, and the constant struggle to remain positive took a toll on all of us. My dad used to write in an online journal called Care Pages, where he'd talk about Colin's day to day routines and how he was dealing with his new normal. While I never got to write a journal entry on Care Pages, I almost feel like this is my own version. So instead of wallowing and telling you what could've and should've been, I'm gonna tell you what is.

4 years. 48 months. 208 weeks. 1,460 days. From ten toes to five toes, and then back to ten. Life is difficult. We all have trials and tribulations that we face, but it takes an extraordinary person to face those with strength, courage, and faith. My brother has grown into a man before my very eyes. Now a senior in high school, he's excelling at school, is the drum major for my high school marching band, and has his first girlfriend. He's a constant ball of energy. He's basically attached to a basketball at all times. He is a faithful young man who enjoys going to church. My brother, in every way, is the man that I know will make a girl very very happy some day. He is the glue that has held our family together for the last four years. I would be nowhere without him.

When the accident happened, we all just wanted to know why. Why God would let something happen like this to our family? Why Colin? Why now? But he's shown to us in so many ways the answer to that question. Our family has grown back together. We are present in each other's lives and we are happy. Colin has grown as a person and is helping to inspire those who know him. God knew we needed the help, and sometimes it takes a little bit of a push to get you where you need to be.

Colin is here. Our family is united. My parents are now active band parents and help with Friday nights. I have gone through a year of college and I feel closer to my parents than I ever have. We gained two new members of the family; Ella and Reagan. My dad is in school again to receive his doctorate. My mother is the successful principal of a very impressive bilingual school. Our lives have changed in so many ways in these last four years, but all for the better. Our new normal has turned into our normal, and we are blessed.