Gifts

Sandra Smith
Jan 23, 2020
2 min read

I've been given some pretty incredible gifts in this life. I would like to share a few.

I've been given the gift of life. Twice to be exact, when I was born and again with my transplant. I am beyond grateful for my donor and their family. They gave me something I could never give myself, the chance to continue living on this earth. This gift also allows me to spend more time with Levi and to finish raising Zoe. Without my gift my family would look very different right now.

I highly encourage everyone to register to be a donor. Register at www.donatelife.net. It's important for your family to know your wishes if something unexpectedly happens to you.

(photo credit: https://www.vanessawelchphotography.com)

It is such a gift to get to be this man's partner in crime. He makes me laughs and comforts me when I am sad. I could have never dreamed of a better husband than him. He meets and surpasses all my expectations of a loving husband. When we were first engaged and I had my very first meeting with Stanford's transplant team back in February 2005, I told Levi that he was welcome to walk away and I would not judge or blame him. I knew I found someone special when he said he wasn't going anywhere and that he still wanted to marry me.

(photo credit: https://www.vanessawelchphotography.com)

Being a mother to this incredible girl has been a true gift in my life. She brings joy and laughter to our home. She reminds me to enjoy the simple things. She reminds me of the important things in life and motivates me to keep going.

I am thankful for the relationship I have with Zoe's birth mom. She has been an example to me of true love, hard work and dedication. Having her in my life has been another gift.