"It."

It’s been three weeks – three short weeks since I went to the hospital very early in the morning with my husband and 14 year old daughter. The weeks and months leading up to T (transplant) day were not easy and there were several times I wanted to say “WHY ME?” But in the end, I knew that it was “Why not me?” when it came to giving an innocent little 8 year old boy a chance at true living.

Not once during the donor matching process did I waver on donating my kidney, though early on, I truly thought I wouldn’t be selected. My reason for responding when Julia asked for donor volunteers? It’s simple:  I’m a mom with healthy teenage children and I put myself in Julia and Julian’s shoes. I couldn’t imagine what life would be like with a daily medication regime and doctor visits. And what if my children could not do things or go places because a machine dictated their schedule. And how painful to know that as a parent I couldn’t help my child because tests said I wasn’t a good donor match. 

So after prayerful consideration and in talking with my family, I took a step forward and said, “Julia and Julian, I get IT. Because life is precious and if I can help, I’m here. “ 

It’s 21 days post-T day; I’m a little sore and a little tired and I have one 3-inch scar and three smaller marks on my abdomen. But also today there is an 8 year-old boy who, with his mom and dad and little sister, and his grandma and grandpa, and a host of aunties and uncles and cousins, can live his teenage life to the fullest with a gently used kidney.

And it is my prayer that when someone else is asked, they too will be able to say “I get IT” and will step forward to donate life.