Sunday, April 26, 2009

The Lovely Good Samaritan


This is a tribute to K., the perfect example of Christlike love exhibited in a modern day Good Samaritan.

We all know the story. In our case, substitute a lovely young woman, age 30 with 3 children who has rescued David. Before reaching her destination, she and her husband traveled on that road for 10 months, driving back and forth from Idaho Falls, Id, to Salt Lake- 10 hour round trip of 450 miles. (plus the time spent at the transplant clinic)

A few days before the surgery, we had the privilege of meeting K., this beautiful lady. Everyone has asked the question "Why would someone donate their kidney to a total stranger?"

Here is her story - up front I apologize to K. if I mix up some of the timeline or facts.....After seeing a movie about transplants, she was moved to investigate the process. Over more than a year's time, she researched transplants, hospitals and did a lot of praying. Initially her husband, C., wasn't sold with the idea, but came around as K. felt more confident that God was directing her actions.

All along the way she prayed and prayed and prayed, and always felt God's hand in the decisions she made. Once certain that she was going to donate, her next choice was which hospital to work with, and eventually she knew that the University of Utah was the place. The U is where the first heart transplant was performed years ago.

She also knew there was a particular person that was to receive this precious gift, tho she had no way of knowing who.

When she was approved and we were notified that a kidney was available, she finally told her parents. She had not previously mentioned it, no one knew what she was doing(and as befitting her desire for anonimity, still no one outside of her family has been told) Her mom was not very happy - I can understand that.

A few days before the surgery, we were blessed to meet her and her great husband. It was an emotional meeting - and all our fears were relieved when she said that the minute she saw David, she knew that he WAS the person that she had been led to. As I've said before, God's methods are mysterious and miraculous.

Our children had the privilege of spending the day in the waiting room with her family. They had many hours to find out about each others lives, backgrounds, fears and hopes for the future. (ps, her mom was totally on the bandwagon too)

How can we ever thank her or honor her and her husband enough? We look forward to being able to spend time with them in the future. There are no words to express our amazement at her sacrifice and to God for his willingness to grant our heart's desire. Thank you thank you thank you.

2 comments:

Sue said...

what a beautiful story of love and sacrifice and lots of blessings to go around. You have a wonderful family and they are always there for you.

JP2E said...

What a wonderful gift!!!! We are all honored by such selflessness! We all hope that God continues to bless the donors and recipients with good health and a full recovery. I feel like a better person just knowing that people of this character exist...