I had to stay in school, so my dad and I remained in Huntsville while my mom went to Birmingham to be with my sister. The day Meg became sick and we took her to the hospital, living a normal life was no longer possible for me. Before my mom and sister went to Birmingham, my dad and I made a plan on how I was going to stay focused. After all, I had a lot to deal with: My family was separated, I'm a new student at Madison Academy where I'm playing basketball, plus, I have a job.

I have come home many days wishing that everything would just be normal again and asking why this happened to my family. Then I realized, I could continue to allow myself be miserable or I could be a positive person to whom my sister could turn for relief.

I finally understood that it wasn't about me this time. Compared to my sister and my parents, I have it easy. My parents have had the question haunting them about whether their daughter will get through this trauma without any complications. My sister has had to wonder what will happen to her next. She also is in school at the University of Alabama, where she is a cheerleader, and has a boyfriend that occupy her thoughts as well.

After I stepped back to look at the situation, I saw that my family may be going through a war, but just as soldiers help each other even as they struggle themselves, I had to do the same.  I have learned to appreciate my parents more. I've learned a lot about my dad since it's just us at the house. Where I used to be annoyed when my mom called me, I now feel relieved every time I get to talk to her.