[ IP ] A Miracle

It'd been something like five years since the accident. Mary had healed pretty well and was doing well in school. Karen and I doted on her perhaps a little more than we should have, but could you blame us? 
 
 We'd debated for a long time about it, but we decided not to go after the hospital for what was an honest mistake. No point in ruining their lives for impairing Marys. Mary, bless her heart, adapted quickly even if she did mention missing colors and seeing what was outside every once in a while. 
 
 The 4th of July was a special day for us, for many reasons. We are n't particularly patriotic, but there's something special about getting together a big group of people you love and just enjoying each others company. Every year we have nearly the entire family over, and I suspect half the neighborhood. Grills are fired up and kitchens filled, and then we all herd into our backyard to chat and eat. Mary runs around with the other kids - she's a bit more clumsy, maybe, but she's faster than any of them. 
 
 Then dusk hits, and the kids start getting antsy. A few of the more adventurous folks get together the fireworks and trek some distance away to light'em. A few days beforehand we collect money from everyone so that we can get a decent amount, and there's always quite a bit of variety in there. Mary likes the `` big sparkly ones'' as she puts it. 
 
 This year she was a little more down than usual. As the fireworks got set up Karen and I took her aside to comfort her. She may not be able to see the fireworks like she used to when she was little, we told her, but she could still see the bright lights. Mary did n't seem to believe us - I would n't have either at such a young age. 
 
 I pulled her up on my shoulders and told her to tilt her head up and wait for the fireworks. She sighed that exasperated little sigh, but did as I asked. The grin that came from the streaks of light and crackling bursts will stay with me until the day I die.
