Life

These past few days have been very hard for many people. On Wednesday we found out our friends in Denver lost their little boy in a tragic accident.  I can’t even comprehend the thoughts and emotions they are feeling now. And as a mother and friend I am heartbroken for their family, while admiring their faith. Nathan was their home teacher and I was Ethan's nursery teacher for a while, and sometimes we got together for play groups. Then this morning I woke up and found there was a horrific shooting at a movie theater near our old home in Aurora—one I’ve even been to. These two events together have hit me hard; especially since they happened to people and places we love.

Yesterday I read a post by a young mother in Utah who donated her kidney to her friend. Her friend, also a young mother, was born with only one kidney, and during a recent surgery her only kidney died. Read the story here.

In her post I loved what she wrote and how it related to the things I’ve been feeling these last few days.

“I received a range of responses from people when they heard about my decision to be a kidney donor.  Some people called me a saint, some people called me crazy.  While I can understand both responses, I don't think I'm either of those things. I did have two main reasons for choosing to do it, which I would like to share.

First Reason: I don't believe in looking at other people's misfortunes and saying things like, ‘Glad that didn't happen to me’, or ‘that's their problem, not mine’.  Other people’s problems are in fact everybody's problems.  No one can get through this life on their own, and while I don't think I can help everyone in the world, I do think I should help where I can, even if it seems like kind of a big deal, or a bit scary, or maybe even a little stupid.  I've had my own share of problems in my life, and each time I've dealt with one, kind people helped me even though they didn't have to, which made all the difference in the world to me.

Second Reason: As I was thinking about getting tested for Crystal, one day at church (we are in the same LDS ward) I happened to be sitting near her while she was looking especially sick and defeated, and the Lord prompted me with a simple statement, ‘You can help her.’  That statement was all it took for me to begin the testing process.”

I’m grateful to many people, especially my husband, who have helped me out in my times of need, though pretty inconsequential in comparison. And most times they probably didn't even realize the significance of the help or kindness they were giving. I hope I can become more observant of all the people around me and try to see their small misfortunes and tragedies as an extension of my own. I probably will never have the chance to give someone my kidney, but I can be more caring and less judgmental of everyone I interact with. God is so aware of my little family, as I know he is aware of everyone.  He is the Creator of Life and knows how we can all help lift and love everyone around us, if we pay attention. Life is precious. I’ve been humbly reminded of that this week.