A year ago

A year ago today, is the last day that M was healthy. It was the last time most of her friends saw her.

A year ago today, M woke up early and was excited to go to school to take CSAPs. She came home chipper and energetic, excited about volleyball practice. She practiced for two hours and at the end of practice was beside herself with excitement about finally getting a real volleyball jersey instead of a t-shirt. A year ago she chose to stay at the gym to play more volleyball with a friend while her sister practiced.

A year ago, the only slight indication we had that M wasn't well was that she said her chest hurt when she swallowed while eating the Wendy's salad that I initially told her she couldn't have, in addition to chicken nuggets and a baked potato, but ordered for her anyway.

A year ago, I walked into the restroom at the school where they practiced volleyball to find she and a friend in bare feet on a bathroom floor covered with water. For a year I have wondered if maybe that is where she picked up the MRSA that would kill her.