Tonight was a big night for us.

Our son plays trombone and is in his (Texas) high school marching band. And, our daughter had a birthday sleepover across town.

Side Bar: I’ve been told that Americans implicitly understand that it’s a big deal to be in a Texas high school marching band, which is why I was specific. I’m American now, but grew up elsewhere, so this is lost on me because I have no frame of reference.

So, we drove an hour across town to drop her off. Stopped at a local joint for dinner. And then drove an hour across town in the opposite direction to go watch our boy march.

And it dawned on me.

A week + 1 day ago, he was discharged from rehab.

Four weeks ago, he was bed-bound in the hospital.

Five weeks ago, he was in ICU.

Exactly 42 days ago, I saw my best friend have a real medical emergency and saw, in gory detail, how fragile life is, and how endings can happen without warning.

Where we are today is a miracle.

And it wouldn’t be possible without the love, kindness and support we received throughout this ordeal.

Emergency responders who helped stabilize and maybe even saved my husbands life – thank you.

Doctors, nurses, hospital and rehab staff who cared for him and pushed him back toward his baseline – thank you.

For sisters and brothers who regularly checked in with us – and continue to do so – thank you.

For family and friends near and far who prayed for us, especially my husband – thank you.

For family and friends who came and visited us – thank you.

For our parish priests who took turns visiting with us at the hospital and at rehab, offering both holy communion and unction – thank you.

For family and friends who brought meals and snacks – thank you.

For friends who offered to help with carting the kids to activities – or invited them to do something “fun” as a distraction – thank you.

For friends who sent ridiculous memes and reels to help me pass the time – thank you.

For my boss and coworkers who care about me and gave me grace, but also let me work (because I would have lost my mind doing nothing) – thank you.

For my therapist who has checked in with me and made herself available at inconvenient times – thank you.

For my in-laws who have stepped in as surrogates to make sure our two teens had as much love and support as they needed, who sat with and prayed for their son, who made sure I was taking breaks, who bought equipment to make life easier for us – thank you.

Today was not perfect, today was not easy – but today wouldn’t have been possible just a few weeks ago. And you helped us get here.