For the the Ortega-Hubbard family, this is their first thanksgiving without Grandpa, and while he may not physically be here, they said he's there in spirit.
"This year my husband became an angel and she became a miracle," Leslie Ortega said.
This is Ortega's first Thanksgiving without her husband of 34 years, Quirino Ortega.
It's also Faith Hubbard's first Thanksgiving without her grandpa.
"He will be missed, but I know he wants us to be happy," Hubbard said.
6 months ago, while her grandfather was driving Faith to college, they were in a tragic crash near Nellis Boulevard and Washington Avenue, which was the result of the driver of a pickup truck running a red light.
"The only thing not crushed in that car was the seat that Faith was sitting in," Ortega said.
"One second everyone is together and everything normal and the next it's like you are walking in an unknown territory," Hubbard said.
She still has a long road to recovery ahead of her.
"She can walk, she can talk, her personalities intact and that's something to be really thankful for," Ortega said.
A tragedy that has brought grandma and granddaughter closer together.
"Life is short so you have to make the most of it while you can by focusing on the happy parts," Hubbard said.
