Journey For a Cure...

I heard this story about a young kid who was on the beach, the tide had come in and was going back out. As the water began to receed, there were thousands and thousands of starfish stranded on the beach. An old man watched from a beach chair as the younger man frantically ran up the shoreline, picking them up - one at a time - and throwing them back into the ocean. Finally, being older and wiser, understanding what the young man apparently did not... the old man approached him. "What are you doing?"

The young man replied as he continued to scurry along the beach, "I'm saving the starfish!"

The old man chuckled as he quipped, "You're never going to be able to save them all... you can never possibly make a difference!"

The young man paused momentarily with a starfish in his hand... He smiled at the old man, then hurled it back into the ocean, and simply replied... "I made a difference to that one..."

Nobody can change the world in an instant. Lives are changed and the world becomes a better place, one great act at a time. No doubt, everybody has "saved a starfish"at some point in their life... mine just happened to need a kidney.

Sometimes it's difficult for me to respond to compliments about this experience in my life because of all that I have been blessed with since that time. I have been given the opportunity to channel my passion for organ donation through my professional ambitions... to share Kay's story, Jody's story, and put faces to the numbers of the ever-growing transplant list. My life has truly been rewarded for, what now seems to be a relatively insignificant sacrifice in the greater scheme of things. Jody's life has changed... but quite certainly - so has mine.

This experience has taught me that the best solution to any disappointment in life, is service. When times get tough... find someone who's got it "tougher" and serve. Inevitably... you're life will improve. It could be because your perspective changes and you're challenges don't look quite so challenging... but whatever the reason - Christlike service and self-sacrifice is the greatest antidote to adversity. At that time in my life... I needed this experience, every bit as much as Jody and I was every bit as thankful for it...

The Blackburn's story as told by Johnnie Blackburn...

"Jody entered the hospital in 2001 to undergo some routine heart tests. On that day, a discovery was made that would try and test our lives in the years that followed … Jody’s kidneys were failing, he was diagnosed with end stage renal disease, and was told that he was lucky to have made it to the hospital alive. From that moment, I knew God was in control of the journey we were about to embark upon. We were grateful that Jody was still with us but we were also about to discover that our lives would never be the same. I had always been taught not to ask God for an easy life, but always pray to be a stronger person. Boy, were we going to depend on that prayer for the next several years! We trudged along okay for a couple of years, but made no progress in finding a donor. We weren’t even on the transplant list until a new doctor helped Jody make it to UAB for evaluation and - even then - things weren’t looking up for us… but, God was looking down and he was watching over a beautiful, spunky red-headed nurse named Christina Bryant as she was embarking on a wonderful campaign to raise awareness about a special kidney donation program she wanted to see to fruition. More time passed before a TV newscast on a Sunday night in February of 2006, led me to the person that God had chosen to be Jody’s donor. A great UAB transplant team assembled to make our dream of a new life a reality. It took a lot of work to make this altruistic kidney transplant happen. At last… the plan was in place… almost. Our faith was tested, yet again, through some other setbacks due to Jody’s health and a small medicine error on the morning of the greatly anticipated surgery. The surgery was cancelled and rescheduled for another day. That day finally came on January 15, 2007 as a beautiful and successful kidney transplant gave my husband the chance to live a normal, productive life and our dear friend the opportunity to fulfill her heart’s desire to honor the life of her loved one. We thank God for our donor and all the medical staff that made our miracle happen. But, best of all – we all get to tell the world that we actually lived out and witnessed a true miracle from God – right here and now in the 21st Century. Glory to God! He is in control! And…as always… Share Life!!!"

Just a Thought...

So... the day before yesterday I overslept. I had some classes to teach at one of my hosptials and I was running late. Caleb had already left for the school bus by the time I made my way out the door. As I reached the end of the drive (where the bus stop is), he attempted to flag me down... big smile on his face... and SO excited to see me. He wanted to kiss me and tell me goodbye. I was in such a rush that I mouthed, "I don't have time right now!" and frantically pulled away. I proceeded down the road. In the rearview mirror I could see him... standing there... completely still... watching me drive away. Then the thought crossed my mind... What if this is the last time I see him? Do I want his last memory of me to be the fact that I didn't take the time' to slow down for a moment and kiss him goodbye? Do I want my last memory of him to be the disappointed look on his face as he disappeared in my rearview mirror? I made it another minute or two up the road, until I could find a safe place to turn around. I went back to the bus stop, rolled down my window, and called him over. I held his face in my hands, looked him straight in the eye and said, "Nothing is as important as you." I gave him a big hug and a kiss, and told him to have a great day at school before I said goodbye and drove away. We all feel so invincible... immune from the tragedies of life. The reality is that everything can change in an instant. I have no control over the Lord's plan for the lives of those that I love, but I do have control over my relationship with them while we're blessed with time together here. I never want to live with the regret of a missed opportunity to say, "I love you". So, I want you all to know that I love you and I value your friendship. Have a blessed day! May we all make the most of it!

Another one of the boys - Anthony...

Anthony... I'm posting this blog just for you! I know that nana will share it with you. I want you to know that I love you and that I miss you already!!! By the way, I found our pictures and wanted to make sure that ALL of my special boys were posted on my blog. Remember when these pictures were taken in the yard? We had fun! Love you so much and whole bunches!!!

"Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree..."

Okay... I really don't know what to say about this, except that there are times in life when you look at your children and wonder... that's all... just wonder. And with my group of guys, I'm frequently dumbfounded! I believe this was one of those moments! Captured on camera, exclusively for your entertainment... Clayton's Gene Simmons impersonation. What a little rebel! He's always been an advocate of nonconformity...

Last summer we took the boys out to dinner. I was sitting beside Clay at the table when he started getting excited and couldn't stay in his seat. He stood up on the chair and started to point and shout, "Look mom! Look!" A man had just entered the restaurant. He reminded me of a character out of an old Clint Eastwood movie... where the man enters a saloon and the foreboding whistle yodels in the background, then everybody freezes "mid-drink" in fear. He must have strayed from a Hell's Angels rally. He was garbed in leather from head to toe, trimmed in fringe, steel toed leather boots, and a sleeveless jacket with some kind of snake and skull patch on the back. He was sleeved in tattoos, many of them inappropriate for "young viewers", and had long hair and a beard. I tugged at Clay's shirt, trying to get him to take his seat and had scarcely begun my "it's rude to point" lecture when he enthusiastically continued... "Mom! He is SO COOL!" One year we bought Clay some of those "temporary" tattoos. He came out of the bathroom a few minutes later with them plastered up and down both arms. I laughed until I realized they weren't as "temporary" as the package had indicated. I figured eventually they'd wear off. Later that week he brought a note home from school, informing us that the tattoos had to be removed before he would be allowed to return to school. Apparently, they were a violation of the dress code. So, with an exfoliating pad in one hand and an apprehensive child in the other, I proceeded with the "debridement". I succeeded... they came off... accompanied by a few layers of skin. Everyday is an adventure with Clay. He's crazy about anything that rolls or makes noise... bicycles, motorcycles, NASCAR, hot rods, monster trucks, skateboards, and - of course - his electric guitar. He's a liberal... not politically, but physically. He's not a fan of clothes and, on more than one occasion, I've come home to a path paved in apparel, leading to a "free spirited" Clayton... roaming the house in boxers! He puts a smile on my face everyday... and he still says he loves me... "with all his bellyheart".

Clayton and Cameron, "Rock Around the Christmas Tree!"

John's Surgery...

Wow... I just got the boys tucked in. John had surgery today and is spending the night under observation in ICU, so I'm flying solo and having flashbacks to single parenthood... efficient meal planning that constitutes dinner with cold hotdogs and potato chips, breakfast cereal, PB & J sandwiches, etc... (Quick... yet satisfying) LOL! Of course, the boys would argue that my "efficient meal planning" lacks substance!
My blog tonight is about John. I have been thinking about how blessed I am to share my life with him. He was absolutely precious in pre-op with his little footies and cheek chiller gown. LOL! He doesn't like feeling vulnerable and he definitely experienced a little vulnerability today. He was "sweetly defiant", refusing to get on the gurney (preferring the chair) and not wanting to "liberate" certain parts of his anatomy prior to surgery.









After some consistent persuasion, however, he surrendered the boxers and climbed onto the stretcher like he was climbing into a toddler bed - LOL! He had a good foot of "overhang" and he felt a little out of his element...


















I took a few pictures in pre-op until he got aggravated and sent me a "signal" literally - that he'd had enough! We laughed until we had to stop and catch our breath. What a joy it is to be married to my best friend. He brings laughter into my life every day. He soothes the storm in my head and heart, softens my mood when I'm upset, patiently listens when I need to unload, tolerates my ranting and fury, understands when I need a little leniency & supports me when I need a friend, he loves the children without regard to all of the demands and challenges that they bring to the table, and he's my inspiration through it all. God must love me very much to have sent him into my life. I have never met a living soul with such awe inspiring attributes...


Disclaimer: That said, excuse the gesture in the picture. John has never had surgery and was feeling a little... stressed. LOL! What fun it is to torment him!

Everything went well... He's taking a few days off for R & R and I'm back on call for the rest of the week! Mr. glass half full says he is "looking forward to losing a few pounds."

You might have four kids if...

There's some truth to this...

IF… The local P.D. has your cell number on speed dial…
you might have four kids.

IF… a restaurant manager has ever suggested that “all you can eat” is JUST a marketing ploy… you might have four kids.

IF… The Center for Disease Control has ever isolated research specimens from your bathroom… you might have four kids.

IF… You’ve ever received a holiday gift basket from your pediatrician… you might have four kids.

IF… Any of your pets have been diagnosed with a nervous disorder… you might have four kids.

IF… An innocent game of truth or dare results in a hostile visit from a neighbor... you might have four kids.

IF… the same neighbor quit seeing the fertility doctor… you might have four kids (I felt a little bad about that one).

IF… Your bathroom experience doubles as “quiet time in the library”… you might have four kids.

IF… Your renter’s insurance costs more than the rent…
you might have four kids.

A few of the moments that defined 2008

~Clayton - in an attempt to describe his love for me - said... "Mom, I love you (then innocently added)... almost as much as Jimmy's Mustang..." I laughed until I cried. Only a "motorhead" would love a car more than mommy! LOL...

~Colton started doing the "naked dance" after every bath... John and I still laugh every time - like we've never seen it before... because it's just as hilarious as when he first "performed" it (I am going to spare you the picture on that one - LOL!).

~Cameron auditioned for the Birmingham Boy's Choir and I got to listen to him sing... I cried at the beauty of his voice and the confirmation of the unique gifts that make him truly special (Cameron poses for a picture before the BBC concert in December) ...

~After working a case, Clayton asked me why I was sad... and when I told him, he cried with me. I rejoiced in his compassion.

~I paid Caleb a suprise visit and joined him for lunch at school... he was excited that I came. He still kisses me goodnight every night, and goodbye every morning. I felt relieved that he's not embarassed by me.... yet.

~Caleb went to Washington D.C. with his class last spring. It was his first trip away from home without a parent... I cried as if he were leaving for college. It must have been a mother who coined the phrase, "time flies"(Caleb with his buddies in D.C. - second from the left)...

~John's dad died of a heart attack, his sister died a couple of months later... We learned to appreciate each day that we've been given with the people who matter the most, cherrish the memories in our lives, and love like each day may be our last. We were strengthened by adversity (John with his father at his H.S. graduation 1988) ...

~The house was struck by lightning, Caleb was knocked off his seat by the blast while playing X-BOX, and his primary concern was for the X-BOX. I was amused by the carefree concerns of childhood...

~Colton got his mouth washed out with soap for the first time... he kept spitting on the floor. He learned his lesson, and I learned mine (put him in the bathtub first)...

~Caleb threatened to beat-up the neighbor boy for picking on his brother... I rejoiced in the realization that they love each other! (I guess being a brother gives you exclusive battery rights).

~Thank God for the experiences that teach us, make us stronger, offer new insight, develop our relationships, and give us joy...