This is my proposed letter to my generous heart donor’s family. Please feel free to submit your comments. It’s a VERY sensitive issue since what was THEIR loss, was MY gain.

Thanks and God bless!

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December 6, 2013

Hello,

I am the most gracious and humble recipient of the heart from your loved one who sadly lost his or her life 5 years ago this past November in 2008.

First of all, let me express my utmost condolences for your loss, the details of which I know nothing. Secondly, I want to apologize for waiting so long to reach out to you. Rest assured, the reason is NOT because I’m not interested in getting to know the family and friends of the person who saved my life, but simply because I have had the toughest time trying to figure out what to say. What was obviously terrible and tragic news to you, was wonderful and life-saving news to me. Hopefully, you can understand, how this puts me in an awkward position.

Nevertheless, I thought I should at least let you know of my sincere intentions and that after these past five years, the heart that your loved one lost, is STILL beating very strong in me! I would be MOST grateful to know more about my hero who obviously kept good care of his or her heart so that I can more properly honor him or her whenever I speak to others about my transplant. But if, for whatever reason, you would rather remain anonymous, I can perfectly understand and respect your wishes!

As for me, I am an open book and would love to share with you anything you’d like to know about me. I know I cannot mention any personal information that might reveal my identity in this letter. However, I think it’s safe for me to tell you a few things about myself.

I am a 44 year old man (I was 39 when I suddenly contracted congestive heart failure). I have my Master’s in History and Philosophy, and I have been an IT/software professional for over 20 years. I am an Evangelical Christian and active in my church. I have a young, 7-year-old son who lives with his mother in another state. Although he doesn’t know it yet, he is another one of the primary hereos of my life, since, I couldn’t bear the thought of him growing up without a daddy.

I cannot even BEGIN to understand God’s reason for preserving my life, when I was literally on my deathbed several times throughout this entire ordeal. All I DO know is that I am extremely blessed and humbled. To that end, I want you to know that I fully intend to live out the life of your loved one’s heart and to honor his or her memory as much as I possibly can!

God bless and Merry Christmas!