Everytime a bell rings...

This is National Donor Awareness Month. I am reminded everyday that I am a kidney transplant survivor and remain humbled that I have been given such a gift. A gift of life that has afforded me nine wonderful years of life that would never have been possible.

My living donor, my son Eric and my grandson Dylan give me pause to stop, be thankful and not take my daily life for granted.

This past Sunday I attended an event for Donor families, families and loved ones that have lost someone special in their lives. The event was held in a small chapel at St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix. I was assigned as a volunteer to greet the families coming to pay tribute to their love ones. I felt honored to be a part of this day.

I was suddenly aware of the stillness and reverence in the chapel as family members quietly displayed their photos and mementos on a table and took to their seats. As if God himself had entered the room surrounded by His angels, you could almost feel the donors sitting near their loved ones as they told stories of joy, love, laughter, loss, and profound sadness.

The ceremony started and a woman started telling the story of the significance of a ringing bell. My favorite description was from "It's a Wonderful Life", if you have seen the movie you remember the line "When a bell rings an angel gets his wings."  What a lovely thought.

As each family member approached and told their story a bell rang in the silence and was presented as a gift to the donor families. At the end of all the stories they were told to ring their bell and celebrate the life of the one that gave life to another. The angels came alive in the room, you could feel their presence as the bells rang loudly and with such love.

The resounding sound sent chills down my spine and brought me to a place of sadness and joy that is hard to describe. As if heaven itself had touched the room, there were tears of grief, tears of gratefulness for those of use who received the gift, and a little of God's presence that was there to be embraced.

I was present that day to experience a once in a lifetime moment of profound gratitude. Be present in your own life and in the life of others.  Take the time to listen and take the time to receive a gift that is heaven sent...God's unconditional love and His grace.  Take the time to bless someone as you are blessed in return.

I say thank you to all who have or will consider being a donor, you will never know how it can impact a life. And a special thank you to my son Eric for changing my life and giving me years that I never thought I would have. You are my angel.

So the next time you hear a bell ring, think of all the angels and their families who gave the most unselfish of gifts, life...and be thankful for yours.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is within your power to act. Proverbs 3:27 NIV