SIX YEARS AFTER Candi died we had the awesome and amazing privilege of meeting one of the recipients of our daughter's organs. At the Center for Donation and Transplant Center in Albany, NY, the Center Coordinators, who spoke to us about Candi's donation and so compassionately cared for Candice and our family during Candi's gift of life, organized the meeting between CANDI'S HEART RECIPIENT and OUR FAMILY.
HOW WOULD WE FEEL? How would he feel? Would it be too strange, too uncomfortable or even frightening? Would we feel connected to Candi? What if we didn't like him? What if we liked him too much? What if he didn't like us?
Awash in conflicting and sometimes OVERWHELMING EMOTIONS we anxiously waited in the conference room at the Center for Donation and Transplant. Media cameras and reporters questioned us about Candi. How did she die, they asked? What made you decide to donate her organs?
Suddenly someone tells us, It's time, HE'S HERE! Across the room the door opens and in walks the most loving and tender face I have ever seen. As soon as our eyes meet, dear Seamus freezes mid-step. MY HEART FLEW OUT TO HIS as I rushed to Seamus and threw my arms around his neck, crushing the enormous bouquet of brightly colored spring flowers in his arms. WE CONNECT IMMEDIATELY, without words, without stories, without photos, we bond. DONOR MOM TO RECIPIENT.
We sit, cameras clicking and videos rolling, with eyes only for each other, drinking in the faces, the eyes, the smiles. Seamus speaks first. "I want you to know, I have to tell you...I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU EVERYDAY, that your lives are being healed from your terrible loss. I want you to know I am taking very good care of your daughter's heart." Look here is a letter from my family, they want you to know how much they appreciate you for the most generous gift you have given me."
TEARS, TEARS AND MORE TEARS. When the meeting and media interviews are over there is an entire box of wrinkled Kleenex on the floor under our chairs.
"Let me show you something." Seamus tells me, "I didn't know her name, so I called her MY ANGEL." As a competitive cyclist, Seamus has a racing shirt on which he has emblazoned the logo, My Angel gave me the gift of her heart.
Together we look through Candi's photo story album. He wants to know about the little girl WHO'S HEART HE NOW CARRIES INSIDE. Darling, tender, sweet Seamus is overwhelmed as he pours over her photos and the stories of her short life. Why did she have to die? "This should have been me, I'm an old man." Seamus tearfully exclaims.
WHAT I DIDN'T EXPECT, was that Seamus Healy, recipient of the gift of my daughter's sweet heart, would be the most incredible, UNEXPECTED GIFT TO ME. My heart will be FOREVER SOOTHED by the sweet and loving Irish man who prays for us everyday.
HOW WOULD WE FEEL? How would he feel? Would it be too strange, too uncomfortable or even frightening? Would we feel connected to Candi? What if we didn't like him? What if we liked him too much? What if he didn't like us?
Awash in conflicting and sometimes OVERWHELMING EMOTIONS we anxiously waited in the conference room at the Center for Donation and Transplant. Media cameras and reporters questioned us about Candi. How did she die, they asked? What made you decide to donate her organs?
Suddenly someone tells us, It's time, HE'S HERE! Across the room the door opens and in walks the most loving and tender face I have ever seen. As soon as our eyes meet, dear Seamus freezes mid-step. MY HEART FLEW OUT TO HIS as I rushed to Seamus and threw my arms around his neck, crushing the enormous bouquet of brightly colored spring flowers in his arms. WE CONNECT IMMEDIATELY, without words, without stories, without photos, we bond. DONOR MOM TO RECIPIENT.
We sit, cameras clicking and videos rolling, with eyes only for each other, drinking in the faces, the eyes, the smiles. Seamus speaks first. "I want you to know, I have to tell you...I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU EVERYDAY, that your lives are being healed from your terrible loss. I want you to know I am taking very good care of your daughter's heart." Look here is a letter from my family, they want you to know how much they appreciate you for the most generous gift you have given me."
TEARS, TEARS AND MORE TEARS. When the meeting and media interviews are over there is an entire box of wrinkled Kleenex on the floor under our chairs.
"Let me show you something." Seamus tells me, "I didn't know her name, so I called her MY ANGEL." As a competitive cyclist, Seamus has a racing shirt on which he has emblazoned the logo, My Angel gave me the gift of her heart.
Together we look through Candi's photo story album. He wants to know about the little girl WHO'S HEART HE NOW CARRIES INSIDE. Darling, tender, sweet Seamus is overwhelmed as he pours over her photos and the stories of her short life. Why did she have to die? "This should have been me, I'm an old man." Seamus tearfully exclaims.
WHAT I DIDN'T EXPECT, was that Seamus Healy, recipient of the gift of my daughter's sweet heart, would be the most incredible, UNEXPECTED GIFT TO ME. My heart will be FOREVER SOOTHED by the sweet and loving Irish man who prays for us everyday.
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