Jody,

Twenty-eight months and we’re still over here peeing yellow pee and whatnot.

Your kidney, which we still adore, by the way, is still kicking. Because if it weren’t doing what it needed to do right now, I would completely lose my mind. Like I would need a few days of peace and quiet that only a spare room with padded walls could offer.

So, when all of this started we’d just found out and you sent me the email asking, “Hey, do you have a donor packet?” and I was all in your face typing away at the computer yelling, “FOR YOU? A PACKET FOR YOU? LIKE YOU, YOU? SERIOUSLY?”

That was way back when before your son was entering college and your daughter was thinking about college. Times have changed, right? For all of us. Life always moves on.

As we face Quinn’s transplant I am finding that I am reliving a lot of the emotions I had back then. Back then when 4 friends offered to help my boy, who so badly needed something I couldn’t offer him. I’m remembering how special it was for our families to grow close and how I watched in awe of your generous spirit. And the fact that you are kind of squeamish really speaks to how committed you were to my boy.

Happy Kidneyversary. Before you know it, we’ll be celebrating 3 years. I hope you have a fabulous day. As it turns out, we’re headed to another therapist’s office to talk about our smart, rambunctious, wild, sad, depressed, cute boy. And by ours, I mean mine and yours.

Much love to you and for your kidney,

Julia (Gage’s tired, grateful mom)