Below is an article my mom wrote for the Tallahassee Democrat on November 20th, 1999. Though it's often through foggy eyes, I love to read it because it's just a strong reminder of God's sovereignty and faithfulness... I hope it does the same for you!
On November 11, 1989 at 2 a.m. my husband prepared to take me to the emergency room at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital. Previously doctors had discovered a heart condition that they believed would require a transplant at some point in the future. But I became very ill that evening, growing more and more weak with difficulty breathing. As we got ready to leave, I knew my heart was failing, but it was also breaking to leave behind my 7-month-old daughter, Sarah Jane, not knowing when or if I would ever return home.
I went into her room and put my hand on her back as she lay sleeping in her crib. I leaned over and kissed the back of her neck and smelled her little head. I was trying so hard to remember what she looked like that night so I could "take her with me" in my mind. I became more ill at the hospital and almost died after a week there. But on November 20th, a heart became available and was successfully transplanted into my body to replace my failing one. Needless to say, it was a Thanksgiving week I will never forget.
This week my family and I will celebrate the 10th anniversary of my transplant, and that is largely due to the availability of this type of surgery at my hometown hospital, Tallahassee Memorial. I cannot imagine this experience without the skilled care and compassion of many different doctors and nurses, with Drs. J. Galt Allee, Thomas Bixler, and Arthur Clements leading my list of heroes. They, along with many others offered us hope when we were afraid and share our joy in our successes. I thank them for everything they have done for me.
I also thank my friends and church family who have helped us through the years by letting this be something that happened to them as well. We have never felt alone. Their love and prayers have given us strength. I also thank the others who have received transplants here, before and after me, for their encouragement. I thank my husband's co-workers at the Tallahassee Police Department for their support for him. And to Lt. Kelly Burke, you are the treasure of my heart.
But my greatest thanks go to a family in Chalmette, LA, whose memory of Thanksgiving week 1989 is still painful. Dave and Vicki Brubaker's 15 year old daughter, Tammi, died on thatNovember 20th, and yet they were willing to help complete strangers because they believed it is what their daughter would have wanted. Fortunately for me, they are no longer strangers but friends whose interest in my well-being and that of my family is an inspiration to me. They have my deepest gratitude.
This Thanksgiving please take time to let your loved ones know you'd would like to be an organ donor. Even if you have signed an organ donor card or have a stamp on your license, it is ultimately your family's decision. Please let them know it is important to you. If you are unsure you wish to donate, please reconsider. It may be hard to imagine anyone you love ever needing a transplant...I still can't believe it happened to me. But the fact is thousands of Americans die waiting for a transplant each year because of the lack of donors. All of them had families who loved them, children they wanted to see grow up. Or perhaps they were children themselves just hoping for a chance to grow up. No one would take a plate of food outside and throw it away while a starving neighbor watched. Please don't bury what you can no longer use when it can save so many lives.
Earlier this month, on the evening if November 11th, I went in to kiss my Sarah Jane goodnight. Now she is a beautiful 10-year-old who loves sports, Chaires Elementary, her puppy Jake, the Seminoles, smiley faces, playing the piano, and Jesus. I am very blessed to have the privilege to watch her grow into a beautiful young lady. I still remember just hoping to see her walk.
Then I went into the room next to hers and put my hand on the back of her sleeping baby brother, Ryan Kelly. I leaned over and kissed the back of his neck and smelled his little head. Tammi's heart helped make this little guy. It is awesome what God will do through giving hearts. Believe me, I know. His grace is truly amazing and I've thanked Him every day - for 10 years - for the many giving hearts he has put in my life. I am humbled by each one.
