It’s A New Year

“That’s because love is never stationary. In the end, love doesn’t just keep thinking about it or keep planning for it. Simply put: love does.” - Bob Goff

LOVE DOES: Discover a Secretly Incredible Life in an Ordinary World

While texting with a friend the other day, I mentioned that one of the lessons I had learned over the past 4 and 1/2 years was that I do not have to agonize over what I should be doing with my life. Over- thinking, over-planning, second- guessing have led to as many bad decisions as good decisions in the past. What seems to work best for me, is to pay attention and respond with love.

Responding is not the same as reacting. If I just react, my own desires, my own selfish concerns, my fears , my insecurities, MY SELF, all get in the way of the adventurous life that I was created to live. Why is a simple concept so hard to execute? I guess it just takes practice in letting go. Old habits, bad ones at that, are so easily resumed. Oh, but the rewards are so worth it! Waking up in the morning with anticipation of what this day’s possibilities could be with joy instead of trepidation is delightful!

Several months ago, I was paying attention and as a result dropped off a copy of DISPATCHES at a friend’s house. I am trying to get over my insecurity about giving our book to people. Ed and I both have a problem with handing it out to people we know because we don’t want to seem like we are saying, “HEY, look what we did! Ed almost died, but he didn’t and so we wrote this really amazing book and you really need to read it because we have all the answers to getting through a really scary medical crisis. Really!”

Of course, we are not saying that, we never thought that, we never intended that (really), but insecurity creeps in and we probably miss opportunities to share the story. I can only hope and trust that the book has found its way where it needs to be, but I have strayed from the point. Anyway, the friend who found the book on her porch has given away dozens of copies of DISPATCHES to doctors, nurses, friends, acquaintances, and virtual strangers.She has shared her story (which is a series of medical adventures that rivals what Ed experienced), and ours with assurance and joy that I only dream of attaining. The more I get to know her, the more I love her boldness and ability to respond with love.

The latest example of sharing love, of being love, was a gift Ed and I received a couple of weeks ago in an email, with the following images:

Ed and I are completely undeserving of this honor, of course. Perhaps, the fact that we share a plaque with Mary Caroline is the most humbling aspect of the gift. All we can do is be grateful that this water well is saving lives in Uganda for years to come. This is a game- changer of a magnitude that is hard to quantify. Here is what my friend wrote to me as I tried, inadequately, to thank her for such a joyful and beautiful gift:

“Someone else’s life provided life for Ed, Mary Caroline’s life provided life for another child, and your message to the world, through the telling of your story, will provide life for many people by raising awareness about organ donation! Providing life-giving water to a community that was dying was a small way that I felt I could thank you all!”

How I love you, my sweet friend! Thank you for the conversations we share, for your unflagging devotion to living a responsive life and, most of all, for friendship. Oh, and by the way, when shall we go to Africa?

Love and Grace,

Paige