My 6-year-old daughter was on life support after a crash when Mom texted, “Don’t forget the cupcakes for your niece’s party tomorrow.” I replied, “Mom, I’m in the hospital—my daughter’s fighting for her life.” Dad said, “Your niece’s party matters more than your drama.” I stood frozen at their words… then the doctor walked in and said, “Your mother just—”

I swear the world was ending when they wheeled her into the ICU. My daughter, my little Daisy, just six years old, was strapped up to more wires than I could count, her small body barely visible under a web of tubes and beeping machines that sounded like alarms screaming in my brain. One minute, we’d been on the road, singing along to Taylor Swift, Daisy’s voice all giggles and off-key sweetness. The next, an SUV had slammed straight through a red light, crushing the side of my car and her tiny frame along with it.