It is difficult to believe that almost a year ago, on January 8^th, 2011, that Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was shot, and perhaps even more unbelievable is that she is surviving the assassination attempt at a miraculous rate. While negative headlines are blazoned with the state of the economy and the local news announcing murders on a nightly basis, it is a pleasant feeling that such a story of recovery and hope can be intertwined with the mundane.

Of course, the road has not been easy. Giffords must try to put back the pieces of her life while learning to speak and move again which is a daunting, frustrating task. Also, she must live with the mixture of appreciation, confusion, and grief that she survived while six other people died.

She has been living and becoming stronger and made a famous, victorious appearance at the floor of the House of Representatives in August 2011, which helped unite both sides to understand that political affiliation aside, Giffords is a survivor. In May, she was able to support her husband, Mark Kelly, as he made the difficult decision of leaving to command the NASA Space Shuttle Endeavor.

Recently, Giffords and Kelly collaborated on a book, Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope chronicling the successes and despair of her recovery and their lives before the event that changed everything, as well as his work with NASA .The couple appeared on the TV show 20/20 with Diane Sawyer on November 14^th and were in good spirits.

Giffords and Kelly are an endearing couple who should be revered more than the typical celebrity couples. They are almost a modern day princess and prince; the congresswoman and the astronaut. In the following months and years we hope to see Giffords recover even more and hope that the couple will find happiness and strength as they have in the past. There are still questions as to whether she will eventually be able to further her career, and Kelly has officially retired from both the navy and NASA. On a more personal level, the couple wanted to have a baby before Giffords was shot. Due to her recovery there is uncertainty as to whether they can be able to start a family.

Miracles can happen, and each day people should take note from their story and find determination in times of turmoil and never underestimate the power of courage and hope.