It’s September 1^st, 2021.

These last few days, as this day approached, I have felt many different emotions. All at the same time, one at a time, or a few at a time: anxious, scared, angry, thankful, happy, sad, worried. It’s been very chaotic inside my mind. Now that this day is almost gone, I’m so glad it went the way it did.

We decided to observe this day in a very specific way. We are not celebrating, because what happened a year ago was, inarguably, the worst day of our lives. We do not respect it, esteem it, or have any affection for it. We are simply observing this day to acknowledge that: 1) we will never forget it; 2) it changed us forever; and 3) Kira is still with us and we are so very thankful and happy that she is.

It sounds so cliché to say “she’s come a long way.” It would also be inaccurate. She has come “a bit of a way” from where she was at this point last year, but she still has far to go. She still has sad days and she can’t explain why she is sad. She still sees a therapist. Just recently, she has started seeing a psychiatrist. Knives, scissors, sharp tools, medications, are still under lock and key in our house. She still has far to go.

But she’s here. And we are so thankful. Even before September 1, 2020, I thanked God every day for my children. Every day since then, I thank God every minute of every day.

So, what did we do today? We ordered dinner, we sat around the dining table, we talked. Before we go to bed, we’ll do family devotions together. But what’s most important is what Kira did today. Kira chose to reclaim (her words) this day with a very meaningful, new tattoo. I’m so proud and encouraged that she chose it.

Many thanks to our friend Greg Linton at White Collar Ink in Cochrane, AB for understanding the importance of today and for squeezing us in. And for being so patient, thorough and awesome at what he does.