Thirteen years ago Alvin and I moved into the home we live in now. The ward we belonged to has turned out to be the most astounding group of people whom we have come to love and adore over the years of our acquaintance and friendship.
I was called to be the Young Women President within a month of our marriage. I was professional, young and apparently “hip,” according to the girls. I wouldn’t ever have classified myself as such, but there you have it . . . me . . . hip.
There were two particular girls, seniors, who were having personality conflicts with some of the people in the Young Women organization. They decided to give me one chance, on the day I was called and sustained, before leaving for good.
I stood that Sunday and bore my testimony of Jesus Christ, His Restored Gospel and the Book of Mormon as a second witness of Jesus Christ. I talked of how my study of the New Testament had led me to seeking my testimony and confirmation of the principles and precepts I’d been taught growing up. I spoke of the beauty of eternal marriage and having my family around me throughout the eternities. But most of all I spoke of how happy I was to be called as the Young Women President and was looking forward to getting to know each and every one of the girls.
Rosa and Tara became frequent visitors in our home. Alvin and I came to love them so deeply. Rosa eventually moved in with us before finally taking the leap and moving out on her own. Tara married a wonderful man who joined the military. They were stationed in Turkey and then ended up stateside before her husband was shipped out again, to Iraq.
Tara became my visiting teacher and I was privileged to get know her better, as a grown woman, wife and mother. She has grown into a marvelous woman, with a firm grasp of the gospel and an iron strength typical of military wives.
A few months ago, really probably about 8 to 10 weeks, Alvin was rushed to the hospital with yet another infection which threatened his life. He spent three days in ICU before they moved him to a regular floor. During that time Tara came to visit and she learned we’d lost the donor we thought was going to give Alvin a kidney. She asked me more questions and as we were walking down the halls of the hospital she asked what blood type Alvin was . . . I responded.
“That’s my blood type. I’ll give Alvin my kidney.”
I was shocked, stunned . . . really, my head was reeling because of the suddenness. Although I knew the chance of her being a match was slim to none, I gave her the transplant coordinator’s phone number. Three weeks later we received the call, Tara was a match! Now, on April 15th, as mentioned in a previous post, Tara will be giving a kidney to my husband.
I have paused to reflect over the last thirteen years and all the interactions between Tara, Alvin and me. I shudder to think, had we been condescending, arrogant, impatient or obnoxious at any given time in the last decade would be arriving at this moment today?
An age-old lesson applies here, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
Never could I have imagined that Tara, with her husband in Baghdad, would one day be the one who would save Alvin’s life. I can certainly say this much, we are forever indebted in gratitude to her for the astounding gift of life she has given him. Because of her Alvin will be able to live free of dialysis and all that comes with it.
May God open the windows of heaven and pour them out upon this little family that they may be protected and blessed beyond their wildest imagination.
