The morning after my blood clot, I was still in bad shape and mom did not know if I would make it through the day. Dad was out of town, so us girls--mom, me, and sister Panthor--were on our own.

I made my way to dad's basement office and mom lifted me up into his chair. It's one of my favorite places because dad holds me in his lap or across his chest just as long as I wish.

Throughout the day dad talked to me on the cell phone every so often so that I could hear his voice. This helped rally my spirit and brought me back from the brink.