i would be remiss not to mention this date again....really...because as much as i think about it in my head, and as much as I talk to people about it, i simply cannot forget that this date was the one that started saving my dad's life.
it's been two years today....not since the day of the transplant that my dad had, but two years ago that a family lost a son, a father, and a friend. by all accounts, it seems as if he, like others, should have lived longer, he would have done good in the world, just by being there. but for some reason, that day two years ago, something decided that he instead, had another path. but it wasn't a split second accident that decided this fate. it was the man's friend dying from liver disease a few years before that made him check that little box on his driver's license to say that he was an organ donor and then consequently he went on to save many lives that day.
i can only speak from my perspective, but that man changed our lives that day by giving us more time with my dad. it's been two years, but it doesn't change that fact that for every day that my dad is around, there is a family that mourns their own loss. the fact that he saved so many, i'm sure, doesn't dull their pain. it wouldn't mine.
so....around this time, two years ago, i thought i heard the phone ring. i panicked and noticed that i had not brought my phone downstairs with me. I ran upstairs and was relieved to know that it hadn't rung...i was hearing things, hoping that the hospital would call and that my dad would be given a chance. i picked up my phone and started walking downstairs....when the phone rang.
it was the hosptial, looking for my parents, and for some reason, every phone that they had, hadn't rung when the hospital called. i asked the hospital worker if she had to tell them something important, she said yes....
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it's that time of year
i would be remiss not to mention this date again....really...because as much as i think about it in my head, and as much as I talk to people about it, i simply cannot forget that this date was the one that started saving my dad's life.
it's been two years today....not since the day of the transplant that my dad had, but two years ago that a family lost a son, a father, and a friend. by all accounts, it seems as if he, like others, should have lived longer, he would have done good in the world, just by being there. but for some reason, that day two years ago, something decided that he instead, had another path. but it wasn't a split second accident that decided this fate. it was the man's friend dying from liver disease a few years before that made him check that little box on his driver's license to say that he was an organ donor and then consequently he went on to save many lives that day.
i can only speak from my perspective, but that man changed our lives that day by giving us more time with my dad. it's been two years, but it doesn't change that fact that for every day that my dad is around, there is a family that mourns their own loss. the fact that he saved so many, i'm sure, doesn't dull their pain. it wouldn't mine.
so....around this time, two years ago, i thought i heard the phone ring. i panicked and noticed that i had not brought my phone downstairs with me. I ran upstairs and was relieved to know that it hadn't rung...i was hearing things, hoping that the hospital would call and that my dad would be given a chance. i picked up my phone and started walking downstairs....when the phone rang.
it was the hosptial, looking for my parents, and for some reason, every phone that they had, hadn't rung when the hospital called. i asked the hospital worker if she had to tell them something important, she said yes....
it's been two years today....not since the day of the transplant that my dad had, but two years ago that a family lost a son, a father, and a friend. by all accounts, it seems as if he, like others, should have lived longer, he would have done good in the world, just by being there. but for some reason, that day two years ago, something decided that he instead, had another path. but it wasn't a split second accident that decided this fate. it was the man's friend dying from liver disease a few years before that made him check that little box on his driver's license to say that he was an organ donor and then consequently he went on to save many lives that day.
i can only speak from my perspective, but that man changed our lives that day by giving us more time with my dad. it's been two years, but it doesn't change that fact that for every day that my dad is around, there is a family that mourns their own loss. the fact that he saved so many, i'm sure, doesn't dull their pain. it wouldn't mine.
so....around this time, two years ago, i thought i heard the phone ring. i panicked and noticed that i had not brought my phone downstairs with me. I ran upstairs and was relieved to know that it hadn't rung...i was hearing things, hoping that the hospital would call and that my dad would be given a chance. i picked up my phone and started walking downstairs....when the phone rang.
it was the hosptial, looking for my parents, and for some reason, every phone that they had, hadn't rung when the hospital called. i asked the hospital worker if she had to tell them something important, she said yes....
2 comments:
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What a gift. And I love that you understand that this gift means pain for someone else. Doesn't diminish your joy, but you get the gravity of it. And that's worth every second you get to spend with your dad.
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October 21, 2009 at 5:22 PM
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I remember being in MN with you this time of year two years ago...the uncertainty and confusion. After having met your Dad at the party, It's easy to see why you enjoy his company so much. Warms my heart when adult children can speak so admirably of their parents. I envy you and your relationship with your Dad. My Dad's birthday is today. I miss him.
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October 22, 2009 at 7:03 AM
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2 comments:
What a gift. And I love that you understand that this gift means pain for someone else. Doesn't diminish your joy, but you get the gravity of it. And that's worth every second you get to spend with your dad.
I remember being in MN with you this time of year two years ago...the uncertainty and confusion. After having met your Dad at the party, It's easy to see why you enjoy his company so much. Warms my heart when adult children can speak so admirably of their parents. I envy you and your relationship with your Dad. My Dad's birthday is today. I miss him.
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