I am so overwhelmed by the love and support I have received from people. I cried a few times on Wednesday. How did I get so lucky to have such amazing people in my life? It made me realize the power of love. How many times have I failed to write a note or make a phone call to tell someone how I felt about them? Too many. I am so thankful to my childhood friend, friends of my sister, and friends of my Mom. Some of them know my shortcomings and still love me. There isn’t anything better!
Yes, donating my kidney to a stranger is a “large” act and it has brought about strong reactons-like a boulder in a lake. Wednesday, I realized how smaller acts of love, your kind comments and emails, have the same effect- pebbles in a lake. It inspired me to be more mindful of letting the people in my life know how much they mean to me- to throw more pebbles.
So, this ripple effect has allowed my story to spill over into two other blogs. One of them is a friend of my Mom’s who beautifully wrote about my story: http://www.expandyourlifenow.com/ .
The Courage To Give
A while back I wrote about having the courage to stand up for what we believe. Often, in the face of battle or strong disagreement from others, that becomes very difficult for us in the modern world. Many circumstances also present themselves for us to not only have courage, but have empathy and be able to give totally of ourselves.
The daughter of a dear friend of mine is donating one of her healthy kidneys to a stranger. I know that kidney donation is somewhat common among family members. Finding a match is usually easier that way. But this woman simply read about someone in need and was hit with the desire to help her.
After much testing, she discovered that she was a “‘perfect” match. How wonderful is that? How likely is that to happen? Shall we call in the Law of Atttraction/Intention? Was the recipient willing this into her life so much that when my friend’s daughter read the information in her local parish newsletter she had no choice except to respond? Perhaps the fates knew that she was the ideal donor and put the courage and selflessness into her to have her move forward. Or maybe God was speaking to her here and letting her know that He would be present.
You choose what you believe. But no matter your beliefs, in January, someone is getting a new kidney – the gift of life. My friend’s daughter will be inconvenienced with some time to recuperate and her body will learn to function with just one kidney. But in the end, two people will have grown greatly in this process. They will have learned about giving and receiving selflessly from each other. And those around them will also experience a new meaning of loving your neighbor.
I have been given permission to share this story with you. You may or may not be interested in reading the journey, but if you are, you can do so here. I know you will be inspired. You might also want to visit The National Kidney Foundation and Living Donors Online!
The other is a husband of one my dear friends that wrote two beautiful prayers. I printed them out and have them next to my bed.
Dear Family and Friends,
Please take a moment to pray with us.
Father,
I know of a young woman named Amy who has been in the process of discerning whether or not she should donate one of her kidneys to another person. This has been an emotionally trying experience for her. Many of her loved ones have a natural fear of this, and hope that she will not proceed along this path. Yet, she believes that this act is not of her volition, but Yours.
A Prayer for a Woman Donating Her Kidney
Lord, I believe that
You are the Source of all inspiration.
Your gentle whispers
Rest easy on our minds.
Help us heed the call
That comes from You,
A seed planted in our hearts,
Nourished with Your love,
Grows until the idea
And the Love which inspired it
Are merged,
So that neither exists
As a separate entity.
Protect and defend
The idea and the love in Amy’s heart.
Give her wisdom
To discern Your will.
Give her courage
To act upon Your will.
Give her love
To follow in Your footsteps.
In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
Peace,
Tom
October 30, 2009
Dear Family and Friends,
Please take a moment to pray with us.
Father,
I have had some words and phrases rumbling around in my brain this week. I think they were an outgrowth of a prayer I had written for Amy who is undergoing tests to determine the possibility of her donating a kidney.
A Prayer on Love
There is only one emotion.
The emotion is Love.
There is only one action.
The action is Love.
There is only one thought.
The thought is Love.
There is only one treasure.
The treasure is Love.
There is only one idea.
The idea is Love.
There is only one breath.
The breath is Love.
There is only one moment.
The moment is Love.
There is only one way of life.
The way of life is Love.
There is only one God.
God is Love.
Peace,
Tom
I have been sharing your story with family, friends and colleagues over the last week or so, and every one of them has been deeply moved, using words like “selfless,” “generous,” “amazing,” and “incredible.” Truth is, we would have used those words to describe you even BEFORE you decided to head down this path. You are brave and beautiful! XOXO
Amy,
At Mass on Sunday a 75 year old woman spoke about her kidney transplant from 15 years ago. she was so full of life and so busy living with gratitude a life of volunteering. It was her way of “giving back”. One daughter has already received a donor kidney and another daughter was still waiting for one. the lady named her kidney “Chawelie” in homor of her favorite actor, Charelton Heston. At a book signing she had the chance to meet him and told him he had a kidney named after him. He was delighted!
I think DELIGHTED is such a wonderful word. I am sure God and certain family are delighting in you. Of course, so are we. We continue to lift you and your recipient in prayer.
Much love, Sue
Hi Amy. I am a friend of Barb’s and she has shared your story with me. God bless you and your family. I know you and your recipient will have much to celebrate during this time of Thanksgiving. I will keep you and your recipient in my thoughts and prayers.
Amy,
This is a wonderful thing you have chosen to do for another of God’s creatures. How blest that lady is to have your kidney. Such a selfless act! God bless you. You’re in my prayers.
Sherry
Amy,
I can’t begin to tell you how much your selfless generosity has impacted my life. I had heard the rumors through my mom and even before being sent the blog site, spent hours questioning whether I would be strong enough to donate a living part of me so that another woman, mother, daughter, friend could survive. My recurring empathetic response has been – if I were in the position of that 33 year old woman, I would hope that someone would do the same.
Your decision gives me hope for a greater purpose in life – something beyond the day to day of raising our children (not to diminish that impact on the world), finding meaningful careers, and keeping our lives together, sometimes by what we think are threads. You have truly inspired me. Parenthood aside, I’ve often thought – there has to be more than this. You found it! I’m proud of the decision you have made and will support you in any way that I can.
Please let me know what I can do to help you on your journey as an organ donor.
Julie