·
Monday, 5 January 2009
Mark and I spent part of our New
Year's week holiday in
The idea of working on a Rosebowl
float was enticing - I love to be part of the group that makes stuff happen -
whether it is planning a fund-raising event or putting on a theater production,
working at a Renaissance Faire, etc, I just love to be part of the team behind
the scenes, making the magic happen.
But the idea of working with
members of the organ donor family was really compelling.
We became members of the organ
donor family ourselves, back in February 2002.
That is when our son Caleb died.
There is strength and healing in being among members of the organ donor
family. Last January when I heard about
the Donate Life float, I knew I wanted to be part of their team.
On the late December day we were scheduled to work, we got up early
and piled on warm clothes. Even sunny
We fueled up on coffee and got
acquainted with the staff and team-members while we waited to start our day on
the job. As I stamped my feet to keep
circulation going, I was grateful for the hot coffee warming my hands. Soon though, I was totally engrossed in the
stories people shared.
These were not ordinary float
volunteers.
They were organ donor families
with stories to tell and hearts to heal.
There were about 75 volunteers on
our 8-hour shift - they were either recipients of the gracious gift of an organ
(or perhaps a cornea, skin, etc) or they were part of a family who had given
such a gift. The Donate Life staff circulated and shared even more stories.
The hours flew by as we worked and
listened to people spell out how organ donations changed lives in very personal
and profound ways. There was lots of laughter but there were tears
too. The stories unfolded, hugs were shared, and the float was built.
One of the people I encountered was "Breathin'
Steven" (Steve Ferkau).
"I'm from
“Well, I’m half-Iowan” the
stranger replied as he made a beeline toward me.
Before I knew it, I was wrapped in
the warm embrace of a very grateful organ recipient. “My lungs are from
In moments Steve drew me into the
story of how he re-gained his life all because of a sweet young woman from
We stood talking for a long time. Steve’s story was engaging. Being an organ recipient changed his life in
more ways than most people imagine.
There is a sense of guilt among recipients, a sense of not being worthy
somehow. Fortunately Steve grew beyond
that feeling and has found ways to put his new life to good use. He is making a huge difference in this
world. (Read about Steve Ferkau's story
at http://www.climbingforkari.org and read his blog at http://revivehope.typepad.com )
Here is an excerpt from Steve's
story - he begins by explaining how Kari, a 17-year old girl from
...One
night, almost eight years ago she [Kari] was having dinner with her family in
At
dinner, Kari brought up the topic of organ donation saying without hesitation
that she didn't understand why someone wouldn't want to help someone else when
they were through with life here. A few weeks later, she and her sister
My name
is Steve Ferkau and I've lived for 47 years with cystic fibrosis. CF patients
usually develop very thick mucus in our lungs and elsewhere… In the lungs it
harbors infections which create scar tissue, and gradually builds up to a point
that our lungs cease to function properly.
...When
I was listed for transplant in September '97, my lung capacity was about 10% of
a normal person's. I was on oxygen around the clock. I was on countless
medications and required chest physical therapy. For four treatments
totaling eight hours every single day for three years, someone was pounding on
my chest -- and pounding hard enough that we broke ribs 6 times in those three
years.
...There are almost 100,000 people in the
(Visit
Steve's website and read about the amazing things he has done since he was
given the gift of life...he has a wonderful story to tell.)
Our day
working on the Donate Life float was one of healing. We watched as other
donor families placed special yellow roses on the float. Each rose had a
personal message attached and all the donor family roses comprised large stars (the
stars of life) on the front and sides of the float. Watching families
silently move forward to take their turn placing their rose was moving. A
photographer stood by to take pictures of each of the
individuals. Over 1,000 roses were dedicated to donors.
At days end, we were exhilarated
and exhausted. It was an experience in
really living.
On New Year’s Day we again made an
early morning pilgrimage to
The morning was cold and the crowd
friendly. By the time the parade began,
the sun was bright and it was a perfect story-book
As we watched the exuberant
marching bands and admired the beautiful floats, I thought about my
mother. She would have enjoyed being
there. This was an event my mother
always longed to attend. I was glad to
be there. I was there, in part, because
of her. She planted that seed many years
ago.
As the Donate Life float went by, I
looked down and among the roses I saw my half-Iowan friend “Breathin’ Steven”
waving at the crowd. I smiled and thought
about my mother and Caleb. My smile grew
bigger when I heard Faith Hill’s voice waft up to my ears. She was singing “There You’ll Be.” (See
lyrics below). And there they were…
Faith Hill: “There You’ll Be” (chorus)
In my dreams
I'll always see you soar
Above the sky
In my heart
There will always be a place
For you for all my life
I'll keep a part
Of you with me
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
And everywhere I am
There you'll be
·
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Snowy Winter Day in
·
Saturday, 3 January 2009
It is Good to be Home
·
Friday, 2 January 2009
·
Thursday, 1 January 2009 – New Year’s Day
The Tournament of Roses
Parade,
The
ab
TO READ DECEMBER
POSTS OR OLDER ENTRIES,
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ARCHIVES ON THE LEFT
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August
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Life
is good!
ab