Four years ago today, we were blessed. Yes, I say blessed because a horrible accident happened, and through it all we managed to pull together as a family and live to tell the tale. Also, although it was horrible, and I would never wish it upon anyone, if it had to happen, I am grateful for how and when it did. 
I am speaking of our little 4 year burn anniversary. We were all going to gather together to carve pumpkins and eat dinner of homemade hamburger and french fries. Kari, being about 9 1/2 months old, was toodling around in the kitchen in a walker while we were making dinner, and managed to get a hold of the cord to the Fry Daddy. To this day, I don't know how she did it. I was literally 3 feet from her. I slipped in the oil, and ended up in the hospital as well. Nana was also burned, but didn't go to the hospital.
I can, only now, begin to feel bad for hubby who was spending the night with Kari in her hospital room, then crossing the street in the morning to check on me in my mine. For 10 days, he was torn between his wife and his daughter, as to who he should spend more time with, or be around for. I was blissfully drugged. I think that was good for several reasons. Firstly, we discovered both Kari's and my own allergy to morphine. Secondly, and I feel most importantly, it helped me get through the feelings of guilt that I couldn't help Kari, the pain, and the worry of how she would recover. I still don't have to relive the feelings that hubby had, that we were alot closer to loosing our daughter than we wanted to think about.
The time came for us to contemplate moving Kari to a hospital which specialized in burn care. Not only that, but the care would be covered (financially) for the rest of her life. I know, I know. It doesn't sound like a hard decision, but it would require us leaving the state, and all the support that hubby's family and the ward had provided to this point, and that was scary to me. They had said because of all the medical equipment they were bringing (the leer jet was a fully equipped ER), there would be room for only one adult on the plane. I was scared to death to attempt to do this on my own, without anyone I knew, and without hubby's help.
We ended up making the decision to leave, me alone. Luckily, however, they said they could take hubby with us, and even flew him back after a few days. We will forever be grateful to the Shriners, not only for the help and support, and medical knowledge they bring to the table, but their willingness to continue with the care until Kari finishes growing.
I would not wish an accident of this proportion on anyone. I can, however, list my blessings thus far:
Firstly, I have been able to understand that it was just that. An accident. I was, truly, within 3 feet of her, and it still happened. I don't blame myself, my mother in law, my hubby, the pumpkins waiting to be carved, or anyone else. Accidents happen, and we were truly blessed the way it ended up.
Secondly, I am glad it happened when it did. Being that Kari was only 9 1/2 months old she won't remember the pain. She won't remember the recovery. She won't remember the trauma. She won't remember any of it. And that is ok with me.
Thirdly, I am grateful it for how it happened. The hot oil and pan fell in front of her. Not on her. Her beautiful face was left unblemished. Her hair and head, without any scars. I know it sounds horribly vain, but as a parent, you only want your child to live a life without pain, whether it be physical or emotional/mental. I think with her bubbly personality, she will weather the gym class changes and the roommate talks with flying colors. And since this is all she has known, it will never be any different.
Would I wish this to happen? Not in a million years. Do I think it is something everyone needs to go through? Absolutely not. Do we seem to have weathered it well? Thus far.
Kari did not make it through unscathed. This is a picture of the graft on her hand as of yesterday. It looks great, and has yet to affect anything she does, from playing on the playground, to writing and coloring. High five for that!
She also has a graft on her chest and thigh. And 2 donor skin sites. But, that is Kari. It always has been Kari, and to this point, always will be Kari. So far she is doing fabulously. We are not out of the woods yet. We could run into issues as she continues to grow. Depending on how she develops and how quickly, we could have to step in and help the grafts conform to her body. And then there is the blessed massage therapy. I feel like we have a good week when we get 5 times a week in. One day, I can only dream she will be old enough to do this herself.
As it stands now, I just can't imagine my life for the past 4 years without this little face. I can only pray that I won't ever have to.
So, to celebrate out little anniversary, it has become our tradition to have hamburgers and french fries for dinner. A little ironic perhaps, but, it helps us to remember the blessings we have, and still have, thanks to many prayers and help from many others. Bon Appetite!
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!
Kari favored the wooden mallet. It didn't have much head weight, so hubby 
And then, there's Dylan.
We sat him up so he could see what was going on.
It was called "Rhythm and Boos." Get it?
Kari's cat.
For some reason the light included in the kit was a strobe light. I honestly don't think it was supposed to be, but, I couldn't get it to stop blinking, so I took a short video as to what it looks like in the dark.
