Long story short: about a month ago Steve was trying to get a huge burn pile going on the orchard when it flashed and he found himself at the centre of a massive explosion. As quickly as the flames burst into their shocking display, he leapt from the pile but still ended up suffering major burns on his exposed face and hands. It could have been so much worse. (It also could have been better.)

The long road of healing was fraught with unbearable pain and swelling, complete dependence as Steve was unable to use either of his hands, no sleep, frightening uncertainties, surgery, and some very dark days for us all. We were the recipients of unfathomable love and support as our friends and family rallied to watch the girls, bring us food, help finish the last of the apple harvest, and showered us with visits, texts, and phone calls so we never felt alone.

Now that it’s been a month since the trauma, it is already starting to feel like a distant memory. Steve looks just like his old self again, and his hands are regaining more mobility every day. He is primed to make a full recovery and we are just so thankful.

Going through something like this has made me realize a few things:

1. All the cliches are true. The only things that truly matter are good health and your loved ones.
2. My former problems were so dang luxurious and I had no idea. (Example: “I’m trying to lose five pounds and it’s HARD.”)
3. Caregiving is really challenging. I have a newfound respect for anyone who finds themselves in a caregiver role. It is draining and life-giving at the same time.
4. We have amazing friends, family and community support. Truly, we were floored by the outpouring of love. It was a decadent, beautiful thing that we were so humbled to receive.
5. We all have crappy chapters looming in our lives, and you don’t know when they’re coming. This isn’t meant to sound dire or dark, but I have a newfound sense of understanding it in a deep way that propels me towards being more present and mindful and thankful for the moments I find myself in, since we are never sure when things might all go up in flames.

It truly is all a ridiculously beautiful miracle, this crazy thing called life.