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Valentine's Day ... Cupid in Covid ... heartfelt giving ... organ donations by Keith John Paul Horcasitas
Thursday, February 4, 2021
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Valentine's Day ... dealing with COVID-19 intertwined with a heartfelt memory of encountering true love shown by a woman in crisis with her own health concerns and those of her husband ...
Pic: Public Domain
This year, as we are facing Cupid Day, Valentines, still in the midst of COVID, it is challenging to get romantic, especially as we all have been touched in some way or another by the pandemic ... some, tragically with loss of loved ones.
So just as we have even been reminded at times during this coronavirus blues days to share our hearts by safely donating blood for those in need, it may also be time to consider making a loving Cupid commitment to give the gift of life to others through organ donation.
About 20+ years ago, when I was a Eucharistic Minister at a church, that is, bringing the Holy Eucharist to "homebound" individuals, I was told to go to "Mary," a young woman in the parish who was recovering from heart transplant surgery.
I went to see Mary on my own that Sunday morning after Mass and went in to introduce myself. Sometimes, my whole family would join in with me in this ministry to provide a community gathering for the individual. In this situation, I sensed that this would be more appropriate to be more of a private gathering.
I had called the day before to alert Mary that I would be coming, as was the protocol for this ministry - to respect the privacy that anyone wants.
So anyway, as Mary's 3 young boys were playing in another room, she privately shared with me that she was doing better after the surgery but was faced with a very serious concern that she wanted to share with me: she just found out that her husband was ill and needed prayers.
Little did I know what I was to find out.
She shared that her husband worked offshore in the Gulf Coast on one of the oil rigs, so he went back to work once he knew that Mary was doing okay, since they needed him back to work. He had been at her side all through her time of need when she was ill and received a heart transplant from someone.
Well, unfortunately, her husband's helicopter, that was on its way back to the rig apparently ran into some turbulence, and he sustained some head injuries, which appeared minor at the time.
Mary was contacted a few days before I came for the Holy Communion visit - while she, herself, was recovering from a heart transplant, about her husband's situation - that he was in critical condition and not expected to live.
The very difficult decision that she was asked to make at that point was whether to donate his vital organs for others. What could have been more difficult?
At that very moment when I was with Mary, before I was privileged to present to her the Most Precious Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit inspired me to write down that poem that I had previously written - noted below - for her and to share it with her.
It was a very tear filled moment for both of us. I gave Mary a big hug and then asked her boys to join us from the other room in prayer.
After that special visitation that I was privileged to share with Mary, her family and the Lord, I found out that Mary did subsequently authorize the donation of her husband's organs for others in need.
Hearts give us life
Through channels with blood
A process through which we all know
But what makes them pump?
The essence of life
That which enables us to grow?
The answer is simple
Yet far beyond knowledge
God gives us Life with His Love
To Share with each other
The fruits of His Blessings
In Peace as we know by the Dove
I cannot help but recall the wonderful quote from Holy Scriptures: "The gift you have received, give as a gift." (Matthew 10:8)
Keith John Paul Horcasitas, LCSW, MHA , 1133 Knollhaven Drive, BRLA 70810, February 4, 2021.
Pic: Public Domain
