Found My Rainbow

A couple of months ago our friend Rebecca, from the Pacific Northwest Transplant Bank, asked us if we would come and share our story with medical staff from local and regional hospitals and transplant and procurement teams. Of course our answer was yes – so we wrote it on our calendar and slowly started to prepare ourselves for today; the day we would come face to face with the people who found homes for Abigail’s organs and tissue.

I was nervous and on edge, especially after my morning trigger.

Being able to share our story, one we wish we didn’t have, with these people meant the world to us. Looking out and seeing the faces of those who diligently worked on finding recipients for Abigail’s organs comforted me while I shared about our families last weekend together. I could see how much they cared about us, a donor family, and about our girls.

We shook the hand of the surgeon who performed Abigail’s surgery and we were able to thank him for his work. In his care our Abigail gave the greatest gift.

Today this was my rainbow. The trigger is gone and I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the men and women who dedicate their lives to helping donor families heal by working hard to place their loved ones organs, so those who are sick can live.

We did not have a choice on whether our girls were going to Heaven. We did have a choice on whether Abigail would leave a legacy of hope, I’m glad we made the decision we did.

I know both of my girls are smiling!