Today marks the 11th anniversary of our airplane crash.
As I reflect on this day, so many feelings come soaring into my head.
I remember the actual accident like it was yesterday.
I think about the people who were quick to rush to our aid;
the first responders, the hospital staff:
doctors, nurses, and therapists.
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| (Brother Andrew and sister Courtney) |
Of course, our amazing families, friends, church community,
and so many strangers.
But especially to God, who blessed us with a miracle.
I can't even begin to type my gratitude.
This day will never be the same for our family, but today will
never ever be the same for the Kinneard family
who lost their father, husband, friend, son, brother,
uncle, and flight instructor Doug in the accident with us.
We will gather the Little Nies around at breakfast and
discuss and commemorate our family's "re-birthday."
It's nice to remember and reflect on what our whole family
has accomplished, and the miracles we've witnessed since August 16, 2008.
Then it will be a typical day for our family;
football practice, ministering work, meetings, office work,
exercising and moving my body, making choices,
and this evening, Oliver's football game.
If you had asked me 11 years ago today what
I would want more than anything RIGHT THEN,
I would have described exactly that.
I'd want just to be me, a mother shuffling kids around,
making meals, breaking up sibling quarrels, sweeping the floor,
taking the dog for a walk, and of course, cleaning up messes.
After I awoke from my nearly 4-month coma and months
of hospital stays, all I could think about was how I was going to get out of my
hospital bed, and back to my everyday life.
And here I am, back to my everyday life.
There is something so comforting and steady about a boring everyday life,
and I am sure I will never look at life the same way again.
God is so good!
Happy 11th re-birthday, Nielson family!
Spiritual Enlightenment: Like a Broken Vessel
