Sobering Events

Friday evening was humbling. Each year IDS, our local organization that manages the organ donation process holds an event honoring families of loved ones who’ve donated their organs, tissue, and bones. With nearly 1000 people crowding the West Valley Cultural Celebration Center some folks stood to watch the event unfold.

I performed, “Gracie’s Theme” and was followed by Courtnee Vanderlinden who told us about the beautiful life and character of her 4-year old niece Kyla Lambson who died after a tragic accident in which the little girl was run over by a vehicle and killed in the driveway of her home.

According to the Deseret News, “The girl, Kyla Lambson, had just arrived home with a neighbor who had taken her to church. The 37-year-old woman parked her SUV in the home's steep driveway and both got out of the vehicle. They were walking to the home's front door when the girl's brother yelled at them from across the street to come look at something he found. The neighbor and Kyla started walking down the driveway, behind the SUV, when the woman noticed her vehicle was rolling down the hill toward them. She tried to grab Kyla and pull her out of the way, but it was too late. The SUV ran over the little girl.

Sweet little Kyla slowly slipped out of her tiny body leaving her mother and family behind. It was then that I believe and I imagine the arms of a loving God, another who suffered a tragic death, on a cross, tenderly wrapped His arms around Kyla as He comforted her and welcomed her back home.

Image: "Security" by David Bowman

Later we watched a video featuring more than 100 people, who like Kyla, passed away leaving their organs to be donated to someone fighting to survive. One by one each soul who had passed has a story, a life, a family. It was hard to watch.

There is not a day that goes by that I don’t think about the fragile nature of life. I’m reminded to make every moment count. No one can escape death. As the saying goes, “you won’t get out of here alive.” Are we ready? Are we prepared? What should we change in our lives? Have we said all the things we would want someone to hear? Following through on these questions will not only improve our lives and happiness, but it will strengthen the lives of those around us. Each time we say, “I love you” to another human being and truly mean it, there becomes a rippling effect that goes far beyond his or her own life. That love will carry beyond. The only thing that conquers pain and the suffering of the world is love.

Inside my chest beats the heart of a young man. I think about him every day. I thank the God in Heaven for his life. I look forward to thanking him when my life is over. Just as Jesus has laid down his life for you and me that we might some day live again, so has my organ donor made it possible for me to live again for another season.

I’m not sure how long that will be? This past week I got word that my friend Emily, who received a heart transplant two months before I was listed for my own, who inspired me with her optimism at the time, passed away from complications of heart failure. She was a huge contribution of service and kindness to our community and loved by many. She will be greatly missed. She’s left her husband Peter and two children.

All of this is sobering. I’m reminded I have an unknown future. I pray I may live to love, as Emily and Kyla, and others who’ve come and gone over time. I feel I have plenty to do.

I trust God. He is my friend. His eternal plan for all of us brings me the peace, strength, and hope I need to endure. There is no doubt in my mind of this truth. If you don’t know this, I encourage you to get on your knees and open up your heart to Him. Thank Him for every good thing in your life. You will feel His voice. The God of Heaven is our Father and adores you. One day we’ll look back and recognize all that He has done for His children in advancing us to greater levels of light, love and knowledge.

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