A close family friend went into surgery for a lung transplant last night.
It is overwhelming for me at what a mixed bag of emotions this brings.
When she comes out of surgery this morning, she will have someone else’s lungs. Someone who lost their life right before Christmas in order to give hers back.
When my grandmother passed away she had signed all of her organs over to be donated and I remember that being a very important wish of hers. While I totally honoured her wishes in my mind, I didn’t really having a strong opinion either way about being a donor myself at the time.
But to watch the struggle life and simple everyday tasks have been for our friend, and to see her lose her quality of life almost completely over the last couple of years has been heart wrenching.
To think she could get it all back now, is a miracle.
If somehow I could be a part of giving life back to someone, who could then be around for more Christmas’s, more travelling, more hugs and laughter with friends and family, and maybe even have a few more days in the saddle… there is no question I would want to do that.
Now I understand why it was important to my Grandmother to donate her organs.
Please take a few deep belly filling breaths for my friend who is getting her life back, and for the person who lost theirs…and for yourself. It’s extremely good for you.
Allow yourself to be filled with gratitude that you can breathe. It is an everyday gift that is taken for granted by all of us. Let’s not take it for granted for the next few days.