Heart Hurting Thankfulness - February 7

The last 16 hours have been impactful. We saw DH's cardiologist yesterday afternoon. He's got a clean bill which we are again/still extremely thankful for. After the appointment we received our first letter from his donor's family. It was written by the young man's mother who is the one who made the decision to donate organs. With DH being an R.N., we had a good idea of the kind of traumatic event that allows for donation. Even armed with that knowledge, it was a tough letter the read. My heart breaks a new for that family. So my thankfulness this week is focused on this letter and both families.

1. I am thankful for the opportunity to write my own letter to this woman. I am thankful she wants to know how DH is doing, and I pray that our letters back to her will provide some small comfort.

2. I am thankful for all the good news I can share with this woman. My husband's post-transplant journey has been blessing after blessing. I am thankful for those for me and I am thankful for those to share with her.

3. We found out there is one person who knows both my husband and the young man who died. I am so thankful for all she's done to protect each family. She was in an incredibly difficult position and she did beautifully in that spot, and I am thankful. I look forward to the opportunity to thank her directly. My heart goes out to her, too, how hard these last 9 months must have been for her.

4. I am thankful for the chance to pray for all these people. So many times my heart has hurt for those who lost the young man. I can't imagine being in their shoes and I have prayed. I am so thankful prayer is not just me talking to the air, but that there is real help in times of trouble attached to my prayers. I pray to a mighty God who knows what these hurting people need. I am thankful for the chance to do my small part and pray and I am thankful for the knowledge that I am helping them in ways I could never do in my own power.