Today of all days seemed appropriate for some existential journaling, I figured. Exactly one year ago, seemingly out of the blue, my mom fell and cracked her head, resulting in a severe concussion and skull fracture. I was home at the time-- the only other human present-- by completely random happenstance, having delayed my original plans for heading back to Kansas City several days prior. It was, without question, the worst day of my life. The year that has followed has also been the hardest I can remember.

But I've survived. I won't lie; it's been difficult, and at times crushingly unfair. Brain injury is an incredibly complicated, messy thing I wouldn't wish on my worst enemies, let alone a parent. It's one of those things you can't really even wrap your head around until you've lived it or lived with it, and even then there's no guidebook or One True Answer for how to cope.

For a roughly six month period immediately following the accident, I had no capacity for work to speak of. Watching over Mom was truly an all consuming task in the earlier stages of her recovery, and one I had to deal with alone beyond weekends since my dad works brutally long hours to keep the family afloat. We all did our best. I've witnessed things that I'll take to my grave and been told in a fog of angry confusion things that I will never repeat. But I've survived. I want to reiterate that. I am different than I was before, but still me. And I've been able to make a slow, crawling comeback thanks in no small part to you guys.

As of Saturday, just a few days ago, I've come back to Kansas City again and finally moved back in with my sister. This marks a theoretical turning point; no longer will my day to day schedule revolve around an ailing parent. I can (again, theoretically) get back to focussing on my work, my business, and my own health. What does this all mean for you guys? Well, it means that I should be producing a lot more work and get back on my feet over the next few weeks-- maybe even return to my pre-hiatus efficiency. I'm nervous but incredibly excited for the prospect.

Thank you so, so much for sticking with me through it all. As clients, friends, supporters, watchers, I could not ask for a better group in which to be. I'll do my best to repay your patience with good work and a good future. You should be seeing a lot more of me here again.

Tell people you love that you love them, treat yourselves kindly, and stay warm for the holidays. I'll see you all in the stream-o-sphere soon.

-A Wild Hanmonster