Two weeks ago today, I donated a kidney. This morning I woke up in my own bed, 2,666 miles away. The morning sun streamed in my window. I took a moment to assess my recovery:
I slept well.
I rolled out of bed with very little discomfort.
I went downstairs and got my own coffee.
An annoying stitch in my side is gone.
I’m sore but I don’t hurt if that makes sense.
What led to today? A beautiful love story!
About 17 years ago, while our family was stationed in Okinawa, I was out with my kids one evening. A young man (Marvin) approached and asked if I “was Rafia’s mom”. I said yes, and we spoke for a while. That brief encounter led to two families becoming one. I met Marvin’s parents (Conrad and Brigitta) not long after, and we became lifelong friends! They’ve visited my husband (Danny) and I in Oregon; we’ve visited them in Georgia. We’ve vacationed together with and without Marvin and Rafia. My other kids, Kate and Bo, either joined us or visited them independently. I once even visited Brigitta’s sister in The Netherlands while my own sister was visiting Brigitta in Georgia!
About four years ago, Conrad was placed on dialysis. Within a year, he was approved for a kidney transplant! When we learned that they were looking for a living donor, I raised my hand to be tested. It was a simple, immediate thing I could do for our family. Amazingly, we were a match!!!
I remember being so happy, so amazed, and so grateful. In what universe do the stars line up so perfectly?
While waiting for the transplant, we welcomed our grandchild into the world. Two weeks ago, our family came together right after the surgery, our grandchild hamming it up and reminding us why we were there.
When I think of the love that has been poured into Conrad to ensure he was healthy enough for the transplant, I am humbled. When I think of the medical advances that made it possible, I am grateful. When I think of our little grandchild growing up with ALL of his grandparents able to play with him I am overjoyed!
Life as it should be. Loving, living, sharing.
It was so easy.
“Please know that your gift of helping pay for this [rental car] made a world of difference to our family while we were there.”