Before my transplant, I was not the outgoing father with my kids. My energy was so low and I would get sick unexpectedly, hindering any family outing plans. My kids loved to go to Jokers, but many trips were canceled due to my last minute energy loss/sickness.
A few months after my transplant, my son asked if I would take them to Jokers. I said yes, and he went to prepare to leave. I overheard my daughter say; “Now don’t be upset if at the last minute we… don’t go. You know how he can become sick at any given moment.” We got into the car and headed off to Portland (about a 45 minute drive). About a third of the way to our destination, we were passing through the town of Freeport, Maine. I remember crying uncontrollably as I was driving through. My kids asked; “Are you ok?” “What’s wrong, are you sick?” I looked at them and smiled to say; “No. Actually, I feel REALLY good!” For the first time in many years I felt “normal”. I tried to stop the tears, but they kept flowing. I had the best time ever at Jokers, feeling like I have never felt before.
The tears didn’t stop there. I find myself every time I am passing through Freeport, my eyes water and I cry. Before , I would try to hide / wipe them, but no more. I cry and let the tears flow. I cry because they are tears of joy. Tears of remembering from where I came to where I am now. Tears of thankfulness that someone donated a part of them-self that I may feel whole.
We should all take a moment and pass through our “Freeport” and let the tears flow. Flow in the remembrance that we all are and have been blessed.
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