Birdies…
Melissa did a beautiful post on Wednesday titled “Spectactical”, about meeting her donor family during Hustle weekend, and having them cheer her on at the top… This is a picture of Chloe’s Mom, Linda, listening to Choe’s heart at the top of the Hancock. In her post, she spoke about Chloe’s Mom, being handed an origami bird – a little red origami bird… Melissa spoke about red symbolizing the heart – and that Chloe was there in spirit… Those of us who know Melissa’s story, and a little of Chloe’s story, know what that meant… Those of you reading about Melissa & Chloe for the first time may not be aware of the significance…
When I had the chance to meet and hug Chloe’s Mom at the Hustle, she started to tell me the story about what someone found and handed to her – then she opened her hand and showed me… She held it gently, as if she were protecting a little baby bird – and we both welled up when I looked down at the origami bird in her hand… When Chloe died, her friends sent Chloe’s Mom & Dad a group of origami birds with little notes inscribed inside them… In their first anonymous letter to Melissa – Chloe’s family included one of those origami birds with the words, “open hearted” inscribed inside… We posted about it back in September 2008, in a post titled “open hearted”. It’s easy to feel that Chloe was up there somewhere, lending a wink and a nod and a smile to this little meeting…
Buddies…
The climb was pretty incredible – besides me and my two beautiful lungs, I had another double lung recipient with me, and Melissa and her new heart, and a kidney recipient, and a cornea recipient. And I had almost a dozen people who take care of people like us – or work to get us the gifts we need… I had a whole load of people here from Iowa, where Kari was born… Several of them were her friends, and played volleyball with Kari in high school. I had #15, #12, #8, #7, #4 & #2 and a “superfan” with me – Kari wore #13 on her team – it’s emblazoned on all of our shirts – and I had Tessa, Katie, Wendy, Alex, Kelly, Samara and Nicole in the stairwells with me…
Again this year, they climbed much of the way with Melissa (she’s much faster than I am!) And they stopped along the way to take pictures:
And afterwards, before they left, they gave me some gifts… Whenever I climb, I wear a shirt that Kari’s Mom gave me almost 8 years ago… It’s a shirt that was designed by one of these girls, and the rest of them wore it in honor of, and to remember Kari. They also wear it along with me at the Hustle. I wear it quite often, and it’s getting a little rough looking – I think they’ve noticed that over the past few years. And not that they’re getting embarrassed to be with me or anything – but they went out and had a new one screened for me. They gave me that, along with a few very loud Algona shirts – and they included a little card from all of them… I’ve been talking up the likelihood/possibility/desire/whatever that this was going to be my last Hustle. Anyhoo – this manipulative little group who I adore as if they were daughters, pretty much let me know this was not my last Hustle… Whatever.
Birthdays…
And finally… I guess there are still a few feet of snow on the ground in some parts of Algona – but I have a very special person named Deb, who works at Algona Greenhouse… She takes care of some things I need out that way… Today is a special day for me (and for Brett, you know who you are…) – it’s become more special to me than my birthday… Deb is leaving flowers at Kari’s grave for me – and the note with them reads:
Happy Birthday, Kari !!!
In January, I saw Jenn get married – I saw Christian & Laura again, and met Erin and Brett, and I learned more about you. Last week, I was with Katie & Wendy & Samara & Alex & Tessa & Nicole & Kelly. All of us wore the shirts they made for you – I have the one your Mom gave me. The girls noticed, over the past few years, that mine is getting a little rough looking – so they had another one made for me. I’ll probably still wear the one your Mom gave me, but I think you know how it makes me feel to get one from them too… They’re amazing girls. They get to connect with one another, and keep each other in their lives, because of you and me.
You would have been 27 today – when I see all of them, I get a glimpse of who you may have become. You would be so proud of them… I am.
I never met you, but sometimes I feel like I did. I know I miss you. I’m celebrating your Birthday today – and I will celebrate your life every day.
Love, Steve (& Laura…)
