A very special day is coming up for me. I think of it as my second birthday, in fact, in many ways, it's more important than my actual birthday; it's the anniversary of the day of my transplant. On Monday, it will be September 7th, 2009. On September 7th, 2002 I received a second chance at life because of a heart & double-lung transplant.
In the seven years that have passed since then, SO MUCH has happened. I've gotten married, had a baby girl, started a successful career, run 3 marathons, published a best-selling book and learned A LOT about myself. It's been an amazing ride, and I owe it all to the gift of a stranger.
As amazing as it is that I am even alive, as incredible and unbelievable as it is that I get to wake and breathe every day, I'm still guilty of slipping into an attitude of apathy from time to time. I'm still not perfect at appreciating all of the amazing gifts of everyday life as I once did, and wish I still did. A great song written by a Canadian artist is called "Ordinary Miracles" and talks about all of those everyday occurrences that ,when we really think about it, are absolutely incredible, but because they happen everyday, we take them for granted.
On Monday I will once again celebrate the very special gift that I was given and renew my commitment to use that gift as well as I can. But tomorrow, on Sunday, I'll take time to commemorate a different occasion, the death of my donor. It's actually this day that makes me appreciate even more what I have been given. Because on tomorrow evening, it will be a different anniversary for that family. The will remember the sacrifice they made and the decision to donate their loved ones organs and tissues to strangers.
So as you relax on this long weekend, whether you feel happy or sad, are satisfied with life, or you're dealing with one of life's difficult patches, take some time to stop and appreciate what you have. Not so much the material things, although a roof over your head and food to eat shouldn't be taken for granted either (many people don't even have that), but the important things like family, friends, fulfilling employment. Take the time to appreciate a beautiful sunset, a chirping bird, the smile of your child.
A life well lived is a life properly appreciated. Happiness doesn't come from what happens to you, but how well you able to focus on the beauty of life. So go for a walk in the park or spend some time with your children and start appreciating beauty.
1 comment:
Goodness! 7 years! Hard to imagine how quickly time has passed since that spring when you touched my life so deeply. Your gift to me has never been forgotten. It is one that still drives me even to this day! You will always be my hall-walking buddy! "Mutt and Jeff!"
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