Lost Lungs in Milwaukee

I am not sure if the news has spread to other parts of the country or world, but within the last couple of weeks, there was a major plane crash that killed 6 people in Lake Michigan. Normally, I hear such news and although I stop and say a small prayer for the people, it just hits me like any other tragic news. This time was different.

This time it was 6 people on a medical transport plane from Michigan to Milwaukee and back. They were not carrying a passenger but a second chance at life. Double lungs to be exact - for a patient in Michigan. Double lungs? My heart sank as did the precious gift of life in that plane crash. My mind raced at the news - not only are the families of the fallen mourning but the donor family and potential recipient. You see, double lungs are for those patients that cannot survive on one lung alone - like those that have Cystic Fibrosis - like my husband. Three and a half years he waited and five dry runs. What the patient must have been feeling when they not only received the news that they were not getting their transplant that day but that those who were fighting for that person's miracle had perished in the crash. Six lives and a miracle set of lungs - gone in a flash. And to think of the donor family that made such a difficult decision to donate, just to have this outcome.

There is a silver lining in the dark cloud of this tragedy. The heart of the donor was successfully transplanted to another patient and that transplant recipient was last reported as doing well. Still, you can't help but feel for those involved - those that fought for a second chance at life and those that continue to wait for their miracle.

God bless the donors, recipients, and those that put their lives on the line to make that miracle a reality.

A Card, A Thought

It is amazing the things you will find when you least expect. While shopping for Father's Day cards, I came across a "off the beat" card that took my attention. The card was an organ donation card meant to be given from the recipient/family to the donor/family. It simply states: "What you did was amazing, beyond generous and kind. You started a miracle. You gave the gift of lift." and on the inside, it states: "How can anyone thank you enough for that?"

Rightfully so. How can anyone thank the donor and family enough for the gift that they gave? Of course, I bought the card and have it sitting by my side, ready to send to the transplant hospital so that it may be forwarded to our donor family. However, I am a bit nervous. You see, Greg sent a letter over a year ago without a response. I never did send anything because of the lack of response he received. Now I wonder if I should send the card now, send it when he reaches his 3-year transplant anniversary in November, or not send it at all. I couldn't even begin to imagine what the donor's family went through and what they may still be going through. I do know that Greg's aunt has been contacted by the person that received his uncle's corneas during the summer of the same year Greg received his double lung transplant. His aunt was very touched and I believe she responded. However, each family is different... it seems this is something I need to pray on for a while before sending.

Happy 8th Anniversary!

Today is a very exciting day for us. Today is our 8th wedding anniversary. Yes, my friends, we have been married 8 wonderful year. Okay, so not all 8 years have been wonderful - some years have been down right difficult. However, we have made it through the rough patches and continue to fall in love more and more each day.

How? Simple. The key to a healthy and happy relationship is respect. Sure, we love each other but if you don't respect the person you are married to, then you have a poor relationship. You must respect them for who they are and not what you want them to be or even think you can make them to be. Through everything that Greg and I have been through, we have continued to respect the fact that we are different. Sure, he likes Star Wars and doesn't see the point in making the bed every morning (because it will just get messed up again that night) but that doesn't mean I should fault him for it. We just see things differently and like different things. But it is the respect of the other person's personality and likes that makes the marriage.

Let's go back to the making of the bed. Greg sees no point in making it and yet he makes it sometimes before I get a chance to. Why? Because he knows that it makes me feel good to see a nice neat bed when I go into the bedroom and that I enjoy climbing into a clean bed at night. Does this change his thought about making the bed? Nope! Did I have to nag to get him to make the bed? Nope! I simply told him why I like the bed made and how it makes me feel. If he doesn't make the bed, then I make it - without grumbling or nagging. Why? Because I respect his feelings on making the bed and thought about ways he can better use his time.

We don't push our thoughts or feelings on each other but express to the other person why we feel a certain way about something. It is for the other person to respect that and not try to change it.

A happy marriage? Yes! A marriage that we pray others experience? Most definitely! A marriage that we cherish? You better believe it!

Here's to another 50+ years as happy and loving wife and husband!