Twenty months ago tonight I was sitting next to Gage’s bed, writing a letter of thanks to Jody for her kidney donation to my kidney-challenged cherub. I’m as in awe of her gift 20 months into it as I was that night. Maybe a little more so now, as we embark on the 2nd such (hopeful) living unrelated kidney donation for the other little kidney-challenged cherub in my life.

Jody, thank you for your gift to Gage. While I know you feel that God led you to donate a kidney to Gage, I can’t say I feel that God make Gage sick in order for you to donate to him. I can tell you that your donation strengthened my faith in God and in people. I think God watched over Gage until you were able to donate your kidney to him.

Thanks for giving Gage a chance to live without a machine humming in the background and for giving him a chance to have as normal as possible life, for him.

I will always believe that there aren’t any amount of words I can write, or put them in such a way to communicate what it means to me that you made such a choice.

And as I watch my (wild) boy taking in NYC, I appreciate so much more the life he has, because I know he was so close to death.

Much love and gratitude on this Thanksgiving Day.

Gage’s grateful (and tired) Momma,

Julia