The minute the bomb went off, I remember thinking my life was over.
As I lay there, thinking over my life, I had so much regret.
I had no drive.
I was so complacent.
I remember begging God for a second chance.
Back at work, 18 of our 33 employees had been killed.
How could I even continue?
I thought,I wouldnt be a victim.
I started using that technique over and over.
What about my weight?
Dieting never worked, so I researched gastric sleeve options.
The doctor said thats good for 75 pounds, but it’s crucial that you exercise.
I eventually lost 200 pounds.
Cycling is also how I met my husband.
I finished last, but who cares?
Everybody focuses on the horror of the shooting, but there are so many miracles that took place.
People say, Where was God?
Hes doing physical therapy to learn to stand and maybe even to walk again.
My younger son was fired at 28 times but was only grazed on his shoulder.
My daughter-in-law has a bullet that was aimed at her femur.
We have the X-ray of an intact bullet that stopped before shattering her leg.
If thats not God, I dont know what is.
Thats not to say its easy.
Even after five years, I have to work sometimes on finding love.
Im a fierce friend, but trust is a hard thing after something like this.
I tend to be more cautious now, more observant, a little more distant from people.
Then I remember that to live a life abundant, you cant live in a cocoon.
you should probably be social; you should probably be in community.
We need to be a light for one another.
Thats my role now.
My faith deepens too.
But God has provided us naturally with another child; Im crying right now just thinking about it.
They named him Ronen, which in Hebrew means song of joy.
This little boy is a redemption gift from God.
