Ridin' Waves

Last week we enjoyed a Sabbath at the beach. We found great delight in the ocean. From early morning sunrises to the full moon in the evening, from the walks and seashell hunts to the waves and boogie boards... it all was marvelous play, rest, and refreshment. 

One of my favorite memories is playing in the ocean waves with my daughter, Natalie. We spent enough time out there to begin to name the various waves things such as, "Big Gentles" and "Riders". In a matter of time, these two Midwest girls were calling them and able to distinguish the best ones to ride in to shore. 

Of course, a few of them took us for a tumbling ride as well. Nothing like salt water baptisms and the surprise as a young boy recovers your lost to the ocean sunglasses! For sure, riding a wave is more fun than having one ride you. 

A few things we learned from the waves: 

• Prepare. You keep your eyes in the water and respond. Whether you want to dive into it or jump with it - you move and respond. Standing still you are more likely to be knocked over or swept in the undertow.

• Time it. You want to be in motion with the energy of the wave. Not too far ahead of it and definitely not behind when it hits.

• Enjoy. Whether you call it perfectly and ride it all the way in or it falls short and you gently sway or maybe you get thrown around scrape your knees in the sand - it's all play. Let yourself go in uncontrolled, unreserved play. 

• Together. All things are more rich when done with a companion. Whether it's a elderly man teaching his grandson or like us, a mom and daughter duo - play is a great way to strengthen your relationship. You may even be surprised by the conversations you have in the middle of the ocean with no one around! ;)

Living your best life is learning how to play well. How to ride the opportunities and seasons you have and enjoy each moment with the people around you. It certainly is better than when life takes over and it feels like it is riding you for all its worth.

It's summer - go enjoy it and play with some people in your life!

The Gift of Living Well

Vicki Knight and Jim Lamey

"God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well." – Voltaire

This is a very special story of compassion and courage and the gift of living well. May it spur you on to live your best life, however that looks for you. 

In her own words....




I was always going to be an organ donor, although the thought of living donation never crossed my mind until I met my son-in-law, Derek’s mom, Vicki. I knew Vicki had kidney disease and had to quit her job due to dialysis; however, I didn't know how bad she was until we were at a school concert together.

As we sat there, I listened to Vicki tell Derek that her sister and just been turned down to donate. She finished by saying she was on the transplant list for a kidney and just had to wait. How sad, I thought. I kept looking at her hold my youngest granddaughter and found myself wondering if I could do it.

After the concert, I asked Vicki if she wanted me to get tested to see if I could donate. A smile spread on her face as she said, “Yes, that would be awesome!” She gave me a phone number to call.

I left that evening and thought about it more. I talked to my daughter Sarajane about it and did my research. I prayed, and prayed; asking God to give me an answer. About four weeks later, the paper Vicki wrote the phone number on fell on the floor. I picked it up and thought, here’s my answer.

The next day, I called the transplant team. They were so happy I was willing to do this. The testing began to make sure I was physically healthy, as well as emotionally and financially able to be a donor. The most important test is the cross match test which determines if you are a match with the recipient. When I passed that test, we were all so happy. It was gonna happen. That’s when I knew I was really suppose to donate. It was so emotional realizing I was going to save a life.

Through all this, I had tremendous support. Sarajane was my biggest supporter. We would talk about it: the pro’s , the con’s, the what if’s. We also talked to Vicki. She made sure I knew that if I changed my mind she would understand. Most of my family members thought it was wonderful that I was willing to do this.

I did have a few critics. People would ask, “Why do you want to do that? or “What the heck are you thinking?”  One person even said, “What are you trying for, a golden ticket to heaven?” I learned I just had to ignore these people.

The surgery was set for September 2015. In August, Vicki suffered a mild heart attack which delayed the surgery so her heart could get stronger. Before she could make it to surgery, on November 8th, Vicki was rushed to the ER and died the next day.

The moment I heard Vicki passed, I determined to donate my kidney in honor of her. It’s what she would want me to do after all the testing and being so close. I knew in my heart I had to do this.

I called the transplant team and told them I was still going to donate. Due to my work, the surgery had to wait until spring 2016.

During this time, I was really mad at God. I had so many questions. I didn't understand why. We were so close. Why?

That’s when I received a message from Vicki’s sister Deb, a woman very close to God. She had been asking the same questions, “Why? Why not Vicki?” God told her he knew Vicki was not going to be here much longer and that my kidney would not have extended Vicki’s life. He said he has the perfect person chosen for my kidney. That message gave me chills and made me cry. I had mixed emotions; happy for an answer, sad Vicki was gone.

In March 2016, I talked again with transplant team and the surgery date was set for April 6th. The surgery went as planned and was a success. The next day, on April 7th, I met Jim and Laurie Lamey. The first thing both of us said was “that is her/him”. We hugged and cried. It was so emotional, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

We talked for awhile. Jim telling me how bad his kidneys were and the life he didn’t have because of it and now he can have a life again. Tears kept flowing.

Laurie kept thanking me for saving her husband and giving them back their lives. It was overwhelming. Talking to the man that might have died, had I not donated. A complete stranger. I saved him. That feeling is like no other, very hard to explain. We will be forever friends. We changed each other’s lives. 

All of this makes you really think about life and how short it is. It has changed my life forever in ways I can’t explain. It has renewed my faith in God.

Everyone has the ability to save a life. I think everyone should consider organ donation. One organ donor can save eight lives. That’s eight humans. Live donations are great; better actually, but that might not be for every one. Do your research. If you have any questions the transplant team is wonderful and very supportive can answer any questions. Got questions they can’t answer? Pray.                                                                           

Vicki Knight, June 2016

Touch of the Hands

Residents hold hands and pray at Jones High School for a vigil to remember those killed

 in the Pulse Nightclub shooting on Sunday, June 12, 2016. (Jacob Langston/Orlando Sentinel)

'Tis the human touch in this world that counts, 

The touch of your hand and mine

Which means far more to the fainting heart  

Than shelter and bread and wine;

For shelter is gone when the night is o'er,

And bread lasts only a day,  

But the touch of the hand and the sound of the voice

Sing on in the soul alway. 

                                     

                                      -- Spencer Michael Free

Prayers for our country today. 

For love to be stronger than hate. 

For healing more powerful than the pain. 

For our hands to come together in unity. 

May mercy triumph over evil. 

Compassion over injustice.

Hope in all times.

Amen. 

Never the Same

"Home is now behind you, the world is ahead!" – Gandalf, The Hobbit

In The Hobbit, we are invited into the story of Bilbo Baggins and his reluctant journey from the comfort of home to the adventure of fighting dragons. 

While most of us will probably not be summoned to fight a dragon in our lifetime, we can be assured that we will regularly be called out of comfort and to a higher purpose and adventure. It's the natural course of living and part of the maturing process.

Consider a two-year-old, who is being called out of the comfortable world of diapers, pacifiers, and bottles... Or a college graduate summoned to use their education, find a job, and pay a mortgage....

The problem is, if we're not careful, we lose the spirit of adventure and begin to set all our aspirations on how we can build a comfortable life. How can we save up for the next vacation... build a nice home on an acreage... get season tickets to our favorite sports team... give our kids every advantage we can... build a large retirement nest egg. On and on the list goes, you fill in the blanks. 

We fool ourselves into thinking our call to adventure can be satisfied if we have more activities on the calendar and lots of pleasure and entertainment and stuff. And at the end of the day, we are tired and empty and realize how temporal and unfulfilling all these things really are.

I would say, that's because we're created for a higher purpose. A calling that is always inviting us to grow, to walk out of our current 'comforts' and into a place of purpose that is challenging and deeply satisfying all at the same time. It takes intentionality to answer this call. 

Here are two questions to consider in light of your time, talent, and treasures: 

What makes me feel or look good? (Comforts)

How am I making a lasting impact? (Purpose)

Gandalf: I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it’s very difficult to find anyone.

Bilbo: I should think so—in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner! I can’t think what anybody sees in them …

Gandalf:  You’ll have a tale or two to tell when you come back

Bilbo:  You can promise that I’ll come back?”

Gandalf:  No. And if you do, you will not be the same.

- The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein

 

Here's to answering our call to adventure and the promise that we'll never be the same, nor the people we impact. To the tales we will share and the ways we will grow. Here's to living our best lives.