In honor of my parents’ anniversary, I wanted to thank them here for the kind of support and care that graciously carried me through some of the hardest moments with my kidney disease. Not just the transplant a month ago.
All their support and care was (and is) underlined with Love.
They came to the hospital each day essentially extending the care of the nurses and doctors who rotated in and out. My parents had come to my room and “clocked in” for the day. I can never repay them. (I couldn’t even offer them hospital food.)
After the kidney transplant, my parents continued with love-in-action. They welcomed me into their home, made sure I had a bed to rest in, to recover in, and filled the kitchen with meals that nourished.
They drove me to follow up appointments, took me to pick up prescriptions, and even shuttled me around town to get lab work since I couldn’t drive myself (due to pain meds plus recovering in general). They brought me to my house to get mail and other things I forgot to bring with me to help me feel a little normal again.
Whatever I needed, they made it happen.
While I continued to recover, they helped with laundry, took notes during appointments, compiled questions, and reminded me of things I couldn’t hold onto amidst the fog of my recovery.
Their level of care was practical, patient, and protective.
Their love didn’t need to be loud to be powerful. It showed up in the new routines, in the errands, in the way they stayed close even when things felt uncertain, when my pain level was too much and there wasn’t anything they could do but pray for my comfort. They stood by me even when I didn’t have the words or the energy to ask for help. Even when I wanted to be alone, they stayed near.
On your anniversary, I want to say thank you. For the meals, the rides, and the reminders. For the comfort of your home and the the dependability you brought to being my (duo) Care Team.
Happy anniversary, Mom and Pop! Your love is a foundation I continue to lean on, and I’m (and will always be) endlessly forever grateful.
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Support System: My Sister, Angie