In May of this year, I wrote an article that I dedicated to my daughter. It was entitled, “My Daughter, The Mother.” And considering the occurrences that followed, I felt compelled to write this follow-up article. I struggled with where and how to begin, so I’m just going to start.
Two weeks after the article appeared in the POV, Tara called to let us know that she was now at the top of the donor list and should very soon be called! Very soon was two days later. There was a living donor confirmed on Thursday, and the surgery was scheduled for the following Tuesday.
We immediately booked our flights and flew out on Mother’s Day to be with her and to celebrate and give Him all the praise! It is a Mother’s Day that I will never forget, and a gift beyond measure!
Praying, believing, and waiting has been what I’ve faithfully done for the last four years. But what happened next, could only be GOD! Once all the procedural preparations had been completed, we prayed together, before Tara entered the operating room, were informed that the surgery would take five to six hours, and off we went to the family waiting room.
Another level of waiting began, but it felt different than the previous four year wait. I didn’t quite understand it, but I know that not everything is for my understanding. I was in a much more peaceful place than I anticipated. As me and my husband waited, we went about some of our normal morning routines, and simply waited.
I happened to be waiting alone as my husband had gone to the men’s room. So, I suspect that I am not very different from most, when my heart began beating a little faster when the doctor approached me about three hours into our waiting time. His face was very neutral as he confirmed that I was Tara’s mother. He put his hand on my hand, just as my husband was returning. He did not like the look on my face. But as he continued walking, he saw it change. The words next spoken by the doctor made me squeeze his hand and tear up.
He was there, halfway through our waiting period to let us know that the transplant was an immediate success! He not only blessed our daughter with a kidney, but He also blessed her with a rare 100% living donor match!
Wait for it. There’s more. Clarissa, the angel donor from North Carolina, came to Maryland hoping to give a kidney to her mother. She was not compatible for her, but 100% compatible for Tara. Since they were on the swap/match list, Clarissa’s mother received another person’s kidney. Clarissa saved two lives, and we will forever be grateful that our daughter was one of them!
They were able to meet each other, and we were all able to go out to dinner to thank Him, yet again.
I most want to share with you the power of waiting on Him! Know that the wait should be peaceful. The wait should be patient. The wait should be faithful. It will probably not happen the way that you think it should. But I know for sure that when you wait on Him, He renews your strength while you wait! ■