Editor:

On Oct. 17 2011, our lives would be forever changed when our four year old son Drey fell on a hedge while we were in Calgary.

He sustained a traumatic puncture wound to his left cheek from a branch that penetrated through his orbital bone and into his brain.

Drey spent over two months in hospital with many ups and downs. There were days we didn't know whether or not we’d be coming home with our son.  We clenched dearly to every hope and prayer he would endure.

It seems so surreal to have such a freak accident happen within our own family.

Although there were days we felt defeated by this tragedy, we didn't have to look far to put those thoughts into perspective. We met so many people during Drey's hospital stay … some that had been at the children's  hospital fighting cancer for years and others who had been so traumatically injured they were unrecognizable.

Although our multitude of emotions was no less or more than others around us, we are eternally grateful to have our son alive and home with us.

We are so very proud to call ÑÇÖÞÌìÌà Lake our home.

The level of kindness, generosity, compassion and genuine outpouring of help and support was overwhelming. It has shown us a lot about the good nature of mankind in a world that doesn't always focus on the good.

The thoughtfulness and support this community offered without bias or judgment to our family during our greatest time of need was beyond community spirit.

We hope we can remind ourselves daily of how quickly circumstances can change and to always appreciate the simple things life has to offer.

Our experience has opened our minds and hearts to the challenges and hardships that many of us face. We’ll strive to live our life with a real sense of purpose and hope that we can give back to our family and community the way they have given to us.

Forever grateful,

Jason, Teena, Adrik, Drey, Salix Gudjonson