Heart To Heart

Heart To Heart

I remember the day you were born I held you tight in my arms and sighed a relief you were a healthy baby girl.  That's what I thought until they said your heart had a hole in it.  They gave you a few years to live.  But I knew you were strong you proved them wrong.  Just like I prayed you would.

I opened the door to your bedroom you're still asleep.  I watched your little body rise and fall with each breath and I thank God for every breath you take.  Before I go out the door I pick up your teddy bear and put it back in your arms and pull the covers over you more.

Sitting in my office writing this story down I know you'll read it someday.  And there's someone special I want you to know about.  My best friend Chad, you share something with him.  Something that will forever bond us with his family and his memory.  You carry his heart in your chest.

Like I was saying your heart was very weak and that prevented you from enjoying a lot of activities with the other kids.  When you were four just a year after the deadline they gave you complications began.  First the doctor wanted to keep you overnight for observation.  Which turned into a month because you weren't getting any better.

"Mr. Parker she's not getting any better, we'll do all we can of course and we even put her on the heart donor list but if nothing else perhaps you and your wife would consider this..." he handed me a pamphlet about grief management.  They were determined they would be right that you would die.

Of course I told our families about it everyone was so upset and angered by the way the hospital was treating it.  I told my friends they did what they could for your mom and me to make the situation easier.  Nothing made it easier but then Chad told me something "God will provide what is needed."

At that point I wasn't really a big God enthusiast I had lost my faith when you got really sick.  Mom told me not to blame Him but I just couldn't help it.

Months went by and you were getting worse.  The doctors kept 'preparing' us for the worst.  I spent night after night at the hospital sleeping by your bed.  Family members were in and out all day, everyday.  I was tired of hearing "She should be next on the donor list" coming from the doctors they didn't know when you'd be next.  But God knew oh boy did he know.

Three months later they had almost given you up for dead.  I was getting coffee downstairs in the cafeteria of the hospital when a strange man came up to me and said, "Don't worry Jordan he didn't suffer and Kayleigh will be all right now" that was creepy how did he know your name and who was the he?  I heard your mom and I looked back for a second and went to find that man and he was gone in an instant.  There was no way he could've walked away from without me seeing.  That was just the beginning of the odd events that were about to commence.

"Jordan..." your mom was out of breath "What's wrong?" I asked she had tears in her eyes I thought you were dead.  "It's Chad" she squeaked "He was in a bad car accident" I had felt like someone punched me in the stomach.  My best friend's life was hanging in the balance and so was my little girl's.  Why was God doing this?

I rushed upstairs to ICU where Jackie, Chad's mom and Steve, his stepdad were waiting.  Jackie ran to me and we hugged "Oh Jordan..." she burst into tears "Do they know what happened?" "A drunk driver swerved into his lane and hit him head on he's in surgery right now" she bawled.

The doctor came out of the surgery room.  "Jackie Marks?" she stood up "Yes?  How's my baby?" the look on his face was clear "I'm sorry..." before he could finish Jackie started screaming.  Steve put his arms around her.  I could barely breath your mom took my hand "Lets give them some privacy" she said we walked to elevator and went up to your room.

The next morning a team of nurses came for you "What's going on?" I sat up fast "She's getting a heart transplant" was it true did they really find a donor?  I was hoping it wasn't a dream but then I saw your doctor enter and say something to the nurses and he looked at me "You're a very lucky man Mr. Parker your daughter has a donor a fresh heart at that" "Who?" I asked I wanted to know so I could thank their family in some way.  He didn't have time to answer me they needed you in surgery quickly.

When you came out they told me the surgery went well and you'd make a full recovery.  I came up to the doctor "Who's heart is beating in my daughter's chest?" the doctor signed the paperwork and looked at me "Last night there was a horrible car accident and young man was killed but he was an organ donor and as luck would have it your daughter was actually next on the list."

The breath was taken out of me for moment.  Chad was your donor, that was just not possible to me.  I called Jackie and told her she rushed to the hospital.

Once she arrived she came over to your frail little body with tears in her eyes.  She laid her head on your chest and listened to Chad's heart I couldn't fight the tears in my eyes as she spoke "As long as his heart beats in her chest I know a part of him will live forever."

That was three years ago.  That story always makes me cry when I think of it.  Jackie lost her baby so mine would be saved.  God truly does work in mysterious ways.  But I know no matter what you and Chad will always be heart to heart.