Successful Swimmer and Successful Kidney Transplant Recipient

Back in 1981 when I should have been having fun,
to the docs I was sent when my energy was gone

"Your kidneys," they said, "aren't functioning as they should"
"They'll probably get worse. Nothing can be done"
I was only seventeen, and didn't know what to think
But the news, including I should never have children, was very hard to take
So on with my senior of high school I went
with a future uncertain and dreams unmet
I continued with college for the next four years
struggling to keep up with my lessons and peers
In 1986 I proudly made it through
I became a teacher-such wonderful news!

Through the 80's and 90's I journeyed through life
Meeting many times of joy as well as hardship and strife
I taught many special children and made wonderful friends too
I had to depend on the Lord to get me through

I traveled here and there and later became a bride
In 1991, I became a mommy of a premature baby that died
These were times of trauma and grief
But, little Nathan, my angel, is now with the Lord resting in peace
To add to the mess, my marriage ended in divorce
But the Lord understands complications, of course

With faith and perseverance onward I sped
Through many challenges and struggles, The Lord held my hand
In 1999 after a visit to the doc
"A transplant," they said, "is my only hope"
"A new kidney is what your body will need to cope"
With a heavy heart and feeling quite shocked
I went directly home to pray with friends from God's flock

In spite of the news I continued to teach
To better the lives of little ones, was the goal for which I reached
Then one day while teaching at New Hope School
A fellow teacher named Janet, gave hope to my soul
She would like to be tested as a donor, she said
I couldn't believe it. I didn't know what to say
I just had a feeling that my life was about to change in a very big way
(continued on page 2)

• 1
• 2