Owen's Gift -- Two Years Later

It was two years ago today that Owen received his gift of life... the perfect heart.   I will never forget the day we received the call.  It was the afternoon of July 16th, 2013 and we had just arrived back to the RMH from a day of appointments at the hospital.  My body was running on adrenaline and I felt like I just wanted to pass out at the same time.   All I could think about was the heartache of another family.  In the same moment I was trusting that everything was going to work out.  Not only did I pray for Owen to have a successful transplant outcome, but for his donor family to find peace and meaning in all of this.

Fast forward two years...

Owen's donor family, Aly's family, has opened up to us.  They have shared their little girl with us and allowed me to share her with you.  Many of the things shared will remain private and between us.  I did want to share the post that Aly's mom, Sarah, wrote on July 7th of this year.  Her faith is inspiring and I am in awe of her love for our Savior. 

"2 years ago today was the darkest day of my life...... my beautiful daughter Alyson was killed in a car accident. Last year marked the 1 year anniversary, and it was very difficult.

 Today as we stayed around the house doing odds and ends, I couldn't help but feel so much JOY in my heart. I began working out as I normally do to help keep my stress at bay. And while I was kicking my own butt I was hit so strong with an overwhelming JOY. I wanted to sing praises to God. I wanted to dance. I felt as if I was celebrating a birthday. 

 You see I am celebrating a birthday today. It's Alyson's birthday into eternity with THE ONE we love. While there is still so much pain, there truly is so so much peace in this mama's heart! Only God can do that!!!! I have spent many many hours with my Father these last 2 years. I have hurled thousands of questions, thousands of tears. You name it I have given it all to HIM. And you know what the most amazing thing is HE stands there loving me in all of it. I have felt His arms wrapped around me so many times. We have come a long way together I have crawled my way out of the pit the enemy had created for me. But I didn't crawl out alone. GOD was there the entire time. At times it didn't feel like it, but deep down I knew He was there. So today I woke up with a heavy heart. I spent the morning with my Savior. He wrapped His arms around me and has carried me through this day. Today through my tears of mourning I smile with Joy at the birthday celebration going on in Heaven right now. Alyson Rose DeFur, you are my beautiful baby girl whom I love so so much. And miss so so much. But I know I will see you again soon. And we will be celebrating my birthday into eternity with THE ONE that I love so much!"

We are forever grateful for the DeFur family and their love for our Owen.  Aly has left an imprint in our hearts and will forever live on inside our boy.  Owen will always have an angel watching over him and I know she was there the day he received his heart, during his many biopsies and again when we almost lost him in April.  Life is so fragile, so precious. 

Today we celebrate 2 years with a new heart!!!

I just have to share this video once again.  Owen receiving the news...  I smile every time I watch this.