There are days I forget about March 21/22, 2000. But not many. Those days are the quiet lazy ones when we read and the day passes without incident. But on the busy days when we are facing a new challenge, I remember. I especially remember on the days when E is facing a physically demanding challenge. When I see him on the roof dropping a dangerous tree or hanging off the cliff fixing the pipes from the water tank. When he carries 100 lb logs up off the beach to build a vegetable garden. I remember on the mentally challenging days when he figures out how to install an on demand hot water heater from a video on the internet… I remember and quietly take time to say thank you to another.
When E watched his three adult children move from elementary to high school and then on to graduate from University… I thanked another.
When he agreed to move to an off grid cabin on an island with me on the nature channel. I gave thanks to another.
Around nine pm on March 21st 2000, after waiting almost four months on the heart transplant list E got the call. The next 48 hours are a blur only remembered in detail with the help of the journal I kept. Without the journal many of the details would be lost. It exists to keep the reality of the experience alive. A record for the kids. At the time, a nurse told me I shouldn’t take pictures, to put my camera away. There were no digital cameras. I told her if things didn’t go well and I didn’t want to get the rolls of film developed I would have that choice.. But things went perfectly. We developed the pictures and when I look at them I always thank another.
Fifteen years later as we sit on the perch together watching the sunset, sharing a bottle of wine and counting the sea lions as they swim past. I always give thanks to another
Here is a link to sign your organ donation card on-line. It is simple to do. I would urge you to do so and share the link. A selfless generous gift.. Life … pass it on….
Though there are days which pass when I forget the events of March in 2000, there is never an evening. Never a night I go to sleep without thinking how fortunate we are. Wonder why we were exempted from the heartache that so many others face. But I know the answer, it humbles me and I give thanks. E lies beside me at night because another’s
bed is empty.
What an incredibly touching story. I simply can’t imagine what it must have been like to wait those 4 months together, and then the 48 hours essentially alone. You have a real talent for writing without which we wouldn’t have the privilege of seeing into your very special lives. E is a lucky guy in more ways than one!!
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Thanks so much. Looking forward to your return…..
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What an incredibly touching story. I simply can’t imagine what it must have been like to wait those 4 months together, and then the 48 hours essentially alone. You have a real talent for writing without which we wouldn’t have the privilege of seeing into your very special lives. E is a lucky guy in more ways than one!!
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Thanks so much. Looking forward to your return…..
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What a beautiful tribute to another. Congratulations Ian. We have the best neighbors!
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Right back at you R. Sending big hugs your way… Will be thinking of you this week….
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What a beautiful tribute to another. Congratulations Ian. We have the best neighbors!
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Right back at you R. Sending big hugs your way… Will be thinking of you this week….
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Hard To believe it’s been 15 years. Definitely a time I shall never forget.
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Couldn’t have gotten through it without our friends and family!
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Hard To believe it’s been 15 years. Definitely a time I shall never forget.
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Couldn’t have gotten through it without our friends and family!
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We, too, are thankful to “another” as without that gift of life we would not have had the privilege of getting to know E.
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Thanks L. We think we are pretty lucky to have met all of you too.
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We, too, are thankful to “another” as without that gift of life we would not have had the privilege of getting to know E.
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Thanks L. We think we are pretty lucky to have met all of you too.
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Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you. Nice to have you following;).
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Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you. Nice to have you following;).
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