Day 731 | September 11, 2023

Hello friends,

I intended to post this yesterday, but I could not do so. Here it is:

Two years ago, life as we knew it ceased to exist; today is a day of mixed emotions, lots of gratitude but also anger, sadness, and grief.

This year feels different than last year. This year, we can look back and see how remarkable Charlie’s progress has been, but we are also reminded of how much more she still has to go, and it is not easy or fair.

One of the biggest gifts is to have Charlie here with us and see her stepping back into her role as a mother, which makes it all worth it.

I don’t feel like writing, sharing, or being vulnerable today. Still, I remember how empowering and healing my journals were to me during those first few weeks and months of complete darkness. I am not afraid to spend some time in darkness today, and as I have learned, there is no shame in allowing the not-so-positive thoughts and feelings to come into my mind and soul because I know only when you enter darkness can you see the light.

As I contemplate today’s memory of a tragic and painful day in our history, I remind myself how blessed we are to have Charlie alive and at home with our children. She was given a 3% chance of survival!

This is the miracle God has given my family, and I am forever grateful.

Life is not the same and will never be, and that is okay because we have been given a second chance at life, and we will continue to choose to be positive and grateful.

We have some ideas for celebrating the next Burnaversaries; I will share them when we have a concrete plan.

Thank you for being there for us when we needed the most.

May God Bless You

Andre