Fledglings
As parents we spend almost 20 years raising our children and preparing them to face the world on their own. When they are small this seems simple, we teach basic lessons, but much of the effort is protecting them from the dangers of the world at large. As they mature they progressively face more and more of the the world on their own. Finally we reach the point where they are read to fledge from the nest, spreading their wings and flying as their own individual. We have been through this process once with our eldest son a few years ago, this year it was time for our daughter, and youngest, to take flight. As a parent you face this with many questions and concerns, have I prepared them adequately, have they learned the important lessons they will need to...
Read MoreFinding Peace Where You Least Expect
We thought our next visit to Mayo was going to be in March but after a couple rough weeks with lots of water retention, swelling and bleeding they decided they wanted us to come up now for a thorough exam. The goal was to determine if all these symptoms were just a result of the progression of the liver failure or if there was something else happening that needed to be addressed. They also wanted to do a complete exam and determine if any adjustments to my medications would help the increased symptoms. So two more days of testing. We decided to stay at the Gift of Life Transplant House (previous post) this visit. I was a little apprehensive about staying at the house but with my diet the ability to cook for ourselves is import. I was afraid it was a...
Read MoreChristmas Wishes
This Christmas I fee particularly lucky to have all of my family with me for Christmas. 2009 has has many unexpected turns and the final course if far from what we expected a year ago. It was then that we bought the tiny tree behind us to replace our previous giant because by “2009” we would have downsized and be in a much smaller place. So this year we laugh at our tiny tree but relish the opportunity that we have to all be together in the same house one more Christmas. Christmas is a fun and exciting time of the year. It is fill with anticipation and tradition. But too often we look past why and what we are really celebrating. It is this day that we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. Born in the most humble of circumstances, to humble...
Read MoreWhat are YOU thankful for?
This is a season of gratitude and spiritual awakening. As we move from Thanksgiving to Christmas we celebrate our gratitude for the blessings of life and for the gift of our Saviors humble birth. We do this amidst the trapping of celebrations, gifts and bright lights. Which at times overshadow exactly what it is we are celebrating. At the root we are celebrating gratitude in its many forms and for many reason. There is a new web site that focuses solely on this topic called Gratitude. It feature a video of random New Yorkers who are asked one simple questions “what are YOU thankful for?” The answers are heartwarming, insightful, humorous and thought provoking. As we celebrate this holiday season, take the time to...
Read MoreGiving Thanks
As yet another Thanksgiving comes around I greet it with a vastly different perspective. Yes, I am grateful for my home, my prosperity and the bounty that the Lord has provided me not just today but throughout the past year. But this year there is a different perspective, the festivities matter less and my family more. The feast is secondary to blessing and strength that I have been provided by the prayers and associations of family and friends. I have come to realize how truly blessed I am. Let me share those things which top my list for giving thanks this year: The Atonement of Our Savior – through my faith I know that someday I will leave this mortal life and return to presence of my Heavenly Father. A gift made possible by the suffering and...
Read MoreForeshadowing
Organ transplantation represents a significant milestone in medical history. In my lifetime it has gone from a experimental procedure with one year survival rates of less than 25% to a mainstream treatment. Transplantation offers hope and survival to many patients that would otherwise have no hope. Despite all of the medical advances the problem still exist that the demand for transplants far outstrips the supply. As the reality that I am one of these patients whose future is dependant on a transplant sinks in there are a wide range of emotions that I am experiencing. In my wildest dreams I would never have expected to find myself in need a a liver transplant. But one of the more haunting things that I have realized it that perhaps somewhere my body...
Read MoreYou Can Give Life
One Man’s Story Trailer
The last 6 months of a two year journey to receive a liver transplant. Told in one minute of pictures and music.
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