I’m celebrating a major milestone today: FIFTEEN YEARS of life with my kidney transplant. It’s a happy dance kind of day, and I have people to thank!
First, a heap of loving thanks to my husband for making these years possible. He set it all into motion with his paired exchange kidney donation, which enabled me to receive the kidney of an anonymous altruistic donor.
Two men, one I’m married to, one I’ve never met, put love and kindness into action. And a decade and a half later, I’m still reeling. Reveling in how it feels to be so solidly here.
I Was There.
A lot happens in fifteen years. My daughter grew up, and I was there. For the driver’s license, the beaming high school and college graduation smiles. I was there to cheer first jobs and decorate apartments. The dates, the dramas, the delights.
I was there when we lost our cute, friendly dog and gained a cute, anxious one. I was there with the energy to pursue career number two as an author and speaker and find life-changing connections with so many welcoming communities—kidney health advocacy, writing, book-loving, and wellness.
I was there to relish the rhythm of routines with the hubby—hunkering in, going out, binging a series, guessing the plot twists, the morning coffees, the delightful dinners, brining the turkeys, decorating the trees. And more birthdays, so many candles, so many cakes, and the ability to savor the loveliest people, places, and seasons. All of this, fifteen years, without dialysis.
So Much Time.
Time is such a slippery thing. We want to speed it up. Slow it down. There’s too much. There’s never enough. We lose track of it, make up for it, kill it, race against it, and want to turn it back. We want free time. To hit the big time. We bide it, buy it, borrow it, and crunch it. We’re pressed for it; take your time! Closing time. Keeping time. Marking time. Making time.
But for me, this fifteen-year kidney-versary, boils time down to its true essence—it’s the most amazing gift.
So, there’s no time like the present to shout out an enthusiastic thank you to all the benevolent people in this world who step up to help others. I’m so grateful for all the yesterdays when I was there.
And today, I am explosively grateful to be here.
Here’s to a good day! Appreciate your people, and hug your life!