This letter was written by a mother to her son’s kidney recipient.  With her permission, we have chosen to share this letter in our blog.

My name is Cynthia and I am the mother of Tyrando, whom you received the kidney from.  Although the tragic loss of my son is so heartbreaking, and it still seems so unreal that he is no longer with me in this life, but I know in my heart he is with me in spirit.  I am truly honored on his behalf to have been able to give life to others that are in need.  My son left this life on June 3^rd at the age of 19, and I miss him dearly.  God has blessed you and your family, and that gives me hope and comfort that parts of my son still lives in other people.  I pray that your recovery is successful and you are able to get back in the yard and do the things that you used to do, because being on dialysis isn’t fun for anyone.  In exchange for the gift that was given to you, all I ask is for you to pray for strength for me, his father, and his 2 sisters (age 20 and 8).  God is granting me strength every day so I can take care of some of my son’s unfinished business and bring those things to closure before I return back to work on July 28^th.  He served proudly in the United States Air Force and they have made this whole transition painless by being so accommodating to us because of the pain that we already endure.  The organ that you have received is truly anointed because my son was a True child of God.  May God continue to bless you and your family as you venture on with your new found life that my son has given you.  Take care and get well soon!  I am responding to the letter that was forwarded to me from the Donor Services.

Cynthia

Sunday is Valentine’s Day!  Hopefully that news doesn’t come as a surprise to anyone.  The thing about this time of year is that just about everything is suddenly available shaped as a heart.  We totally use this shape to represent love.  Variations to the traditional heart bring up images of heartache, or new love with Cupid and his quiver of arrows.  It’s fun and romantic to think of the heart that way.

A posting on a bulletin board I saw recently caused me to stop and reflect on the significance of our heart driven traditions.  On the board, there was a picture of a human heart next to a traditional valentine’s heart.  The caption underneath read, “Which one would you rather receive for Valentine’s Day?”  Interesting question!

The traditional valentine’s heart was definitely more attractive and would be more appetizing with a box of chocolates, but what about the over 3,000 people in this country who are currently waiting for a heart transplant?  That healthy human heart is probably the most beautiful thing in the world to them.  A box of chocolates and a pretty card hold little value when you are fighting for your own life. 

Show your love this Valentine’s Day.  Make sure you get registered as an organ, eye and tissue donor.  Log on to the Yes! Utah Donor Registry website  and click the “Register Now” button.