Tonight, like most evenings, we had dinner together as a family and after cleaning up went to the living room to play.  As always, we played some Thomas the Train, we played some ball, and we “wrassled” as Ellery Kate calls it. Life could not be any better for our family than it is right now.

A year ago, things were much different. Witt, five months old at the time, had spent the last 111 days in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. Although he was doing exceptionally well given his defective little heart, his only hope for leaving the PICU and Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital was through a heart transplant. For months, Alison and I had alternated nights. One of us was always at home with our girls and one of us was always at the hospital with Witt. Each morning we nervously awaited the doctor’s rounds and the news that it might bring. The doctor’s report for September 21, 2010 wasn’t much different than the reports we’d received every day for weeks. Two things from their report always caught my attention. 

1.      The patient’s illness does pose a threat to life or bodily function.

2.      The patient will require cardiac transplant.

We were well aware of his diagnosis and the severity of his condition. We had come to accept the decision that he needed a heart transplant. We knew the statistical fact that one in four organ transplant patients die before a suitable organ is available. But seeing these two statements in his report every day was a painful reminder of the gravity of Witt’s situation. 

That same day, three hundred miles away a family in the midst of an unimaginable tragedy said their tearful goodbyes to their precious little girl. Somehow in their grief they made a decision that would forever change Witt’s life. Their decision meant that Witt would receive the gift of hope that night. Since then we’ve had the opportunity to thank them but we can’t help but feel that our words fall short of expressing the gratitude and sympathy that lives in our hearts each and every day. Please keep this dear family and their precious little girl in your prayers as you think of Witt.

A year later, Witt is doing exceptionally well. All of the reports from his doctors have been great and he’s on target with all of the developmental goals appropriate for his age. As a family we’ve been blessed to celebrate Witt’s first Christmas, first birthday, his first steps, and many other cherished moments.  Every day we find ourselves staring at Witt as he plays thinking about how blessed we are to have him in our lives.

As we lay Witt down to sleep tonight we have so much to be thankful for. We thank God first and foremost for his grace, mercy, and healing. We thank the doctors, nurses, and medical staff that give Witt the best care imaginable. We thank the family whose angelic gift saved our son’s life and gave him hope for a future. We thank our family, friends, community, and local churches for the support that has carried us through this. May God bless you all as he has blessed our family.

In Christ,

Norm, Alison, Riley, Ellery Kate, and Witt