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Let me tell you a little story. It’s probably going to take several tweets, so bear with me here.
My story starts with a man named Tim. Tim was a beloved son, & an older brother, idolized by his little sister.
My story starts with a man named Tim. Tim was a beloved son, & an older brother, idolized by his little sister.
Tim joined the Army, because he always felt a sense of duty, and he wanted to fight for his country.
Tim was a natural leader, and the protective sort, that looks out for everyone. Tim rose through the ranks pretty quickly, and led his own group in Afghanistan.
Tim was a natural leader, and the protective sort, that looks out for everyone. Tim rose through the ranks pretty quickly, and led his own group in Afghanistan.
Tim would write home often, while away serving our country, and tell his family about the men he served with. He often had his mother send supplies for not only him, but for the soldiers who had less resourceful families.
Tim was a hero from the day he was born.
In May of 2011, Tim died. I do not know how he died, I’ve heard motorcycle accident, but I’m not sure. He died, leaving behind loving, grief stricken parents, and a heartbroken little sister, who’d lost her idol.
In May of 2011, Tim died. I do not know how he died, I’ve heard motorcycle accident, but I’m not sure. He died, leaving behind loving, grief stricken parents, and a heartbroken little sister, who’d lost her idol.
On the day Tim lost his life, I was celebrating my 37th birthday with some friends. My birthday was May 4th, but we were celebrating on the weekend...the day before Mother’s Day.
I drank a flight of beers at a brewery, and then attended a comedy club, while a far better person than I, lost his life.
At the time, I’d been on dialysis for a little over a year. I was a Type 1 diabetic, and my kidneys had failed me. I was convinced this birthday celebration was going to be one of, if not THE last one(s) I had.
While I sat listening to the first stand-up comedian, my phone began to ring. Long story short—the University of Wisconsin-Madison had a kidney and a pancreas for me, and it was about as perfect a match, as they’d ever seen.
My friends and I rushed out of the club, to the comedian’s chagrin—but when he asked where we were going, and we explained, the place erupted in applause. It was a surreal moment, that remains even more so, when I look back on it.
On the way to the hospital, I went back and forth between relief that I was likely going to live, and guilt that someone else had to die, so that I might live. That feeling didn’t subside as I recovered from my surgery, and it hasn’t gone away YET.
About 3 years after my surgery, the organ donor program, via UW-Madison hospital, sent me a letter. It was from someone that wanted to know if I would mind corresponding with them, as they were family of my donor. I was terrified. I mean, I was legitimately mortified.
I felt so much guilt over being alive, at the cost of someone else’s life....I couldn’t imagine facing his family.
However, I felt I owed them that, at the VERY least.
However, I felt I owed them that, at the VERY least.
I responded saying yes, I’d correspond.
A few months later, I received a letter from Tim’s lil sister. She started to tell me about her heroic older brother. My guilt grew. Not only had I survived at the cost of someone else’s life, it had been a life far worthier than mine.
A few months later, I received a letter from Tim’s lil sister. She started to tell me about her heroic older brother. My guilt grew. Not only had I survived at the cost of someone else’s life, it had been a life far worthier than mine.
She’s only sent a couple more letters, & she’s never asked to meet(God...Idk if I could handle that), but I’ve told her on several occasions of my guilt, & she’s told me Tim would tell me I was being silly. She said Tim would be ecstatic that he saved another life, even in death.
10 years ago today, I received a second chance at life, & a chance to watch my little girl grow up, that I thought I wasn’t going to get.
10 years ago today, a hero named Tim, who probably deserved to live a long happy life, far more than I did, died, & saved my life.
10 years ago today, a hero named Tim, who probably deserved to live a long happy life, far more than I did, died, & saved my life.
I will never forget you Tim. I never met you, but I owe you everything. I will never stop feeling guilty for my life costing yours. You were a hero in life, and a hero in death.
Thank you, Tim. Thank you so, so much.
Thank you, Tim. Thank you so, so much.
