2,628,000 Minutes

2, 628,000 minutes ago my best friend was wheeled down a long hallway. Her last words to me were “I’ve gotta go rock.”

2,628,000 minutes ago my Mom was wheeled down a long hallway. Her last words to me were “I’ll see you soon.”

For hours I paced. Wore paths in the pastel carpeting.

Pretended to read. Pretended to hold conversations.

Looked up every time a man or woman walked by in scrubs.

I’m fairly certain I held my breath for over six hours.

Until I glanced up one more time and recognized the doctor. I was sitting alone that time. Everyone else was getting snacks or using the bathroom.

But he wouldn’t wait until I had support, he asked me to step into the family room so he could deliver his news.

My Mother’s fate. My best friend’s fate. The two people in the world I was fairly certain I couldn’t live with out.

“Well,” he started slowly, his face giving away nothing.

I had a sharp intake of air and tears welled in my eyes.

“The surgery went as well as we hoped. Your Mother’s new kidney is already producing urine.”

My entire body started to shake as I gasped and thanked the doctor.

I didn’t know then that we were far from out of the woods.

I didn’t know then that I would face the possibility of losing my Mom again.

I didn’t know that in some ways, this was the easiest day of the journey ahead.

What I did know, was that I had just experienced the most selfless and loving act I had ever known.

2,628,000 minutes ago Stacey donated her kidney to my Mother.

5 years ago.

A million memories ago.

And I have never felt gratitude like that before in my life.

It’s not everyone that can say they know a true hero -and I know two.

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For more on living donation, please visit this website. I urge you all to fill out organ donation cards as well.