Today is a special day for us. I’m sure my sister will post her own thoughts on today when she gets the chance but I’m going to jump in here and give you a peek at how I’ve felt over this last year.

As many of you already know Zoe got her new heart last year. One year ago today as a matter of fact. For me, this day trumps all other national holidays. Christmas, New Year’s and even Thanksgiving no longer hold a candle to December 2nd.

My nephew lovingly dubbed it “Heart Day” in a text message last year to my sister. He sent her a text on his cell phone a month or two after the transplant that simply read, “Happy Heart Day.” As this year has passed, I’ve tried to mark each Heart Day with a silent prayer and a thank you to the family who gave so selflessly. Without their gift… well, we don’t think about that. What I do think about is how blessed we are, how much we love this little girl and how complete she makes our family.

Chrissy and I used to joke when our girls were smaller about “the future” and what kinds of trouble the two of them would get into. I can’t speak for Chrissy but when I think about our girls now, I am excited to see the trouble and adventures the two of them may have together. They are as close as cousins can be; I’d dare go so far to suggest that they are as close as sisters.

I don’t think about what this year could have been like if a heart hadn’t arrived in time. Instead I think about how funny it is to watch Zoe come to my house and care for the cows with my son, how in a two hour span she can go through every “dressy” piece of clothing my daughter owns while playing, how sweet and kind she is with Noah, how her and Ethan seem to be cut from the same stubborn mold, and I even laugh a bit when she gets angry with me for telling her No or taking on a diva attitude when I lay down the law while she visits. Zoe may not think it’s funny at the time  but to me, it is. It’s a part of her growing up that I couldn’t wait to see.

My sister and Zoe have seen the passing of a transplant sister and another one back in the hospital as she is placed back on the transplant list. Watching Zoe reach this milestone has been nothing short of a miracle. We know that and we don’t deny it.

Last year when the call came from my sister that a heart had arrived, I was shaking and I was in tears. I skype called a group of moms I’d been chatting with and IM’d a dozen more people and cried to them that I was on my way to the hospital because a heart had finally come. They must have thought I was nuts and maybe I was a little bit at that moment but it was a day that we’d wanted for so long.

Every day since then has been a miracle. Every day forward will continue to be a miracle.

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As Zoe approaches her one year anniversary with her new heart, we can’t help but know and feel how truly blessed we have been. When I reminded my oldest that we were coming up on a year, he seemed to be in a bit of disbelief over the fact that almost a year ago that we received the best gift in the whole world. But then he sat down for a minute, looked very thoughtful and said, “Is that really possible?” Of course it’s possible, hard to believe, but here we are.

As Chrissy had mentioned though, we expect the cost of her medicines to rise. I read a very scary news article about a woman who received a new kidney and then had to have another transplant because Medicare stopped paying for her anti-rejection medicine, since she couldn’t afford her medicine on her own, she rationed her medicine!

Luckily, Zoe has medical coverage outside of Medicare/Medicaid but the reality is that this could happen to anyone, even a child, and as anyone knows, even the insurance companies could change their policies and leave Chrissy struggling more than she is now.

That’s why we are always thinking of ways that we can make sure Chrissy is able to pay for Zoe’s medicine. Last year’s fundraising was a success but we’re looking towards next year and anticipating costs rising again.

We quickly put together a garage sale to start off fundraising this fall (more fundraising information to come in the next few weeks, I think we’ve got something for everyone!) We kicked it off today and even the rain didn’t keep people away!

The garage sale will run through Saturday and Sunday, we’re hoping that the weather evens out and cooperates a little bit.

The garage sale opens at 9 am Saturday and Sunday and closes at 5pm each day. Here are some of the items we have available:

• 4 place setting china with crystal stem ware
• Porcelain Dolls (including a bride doll)
• Cabbage Patch doll
• Collection of Scarett figures in globed stand (I think there are 6 or 7 of these)
• Electric Lawn Mower,
• Dessert fondue
• Sleeping bags (Kids)
• Bikes
• T-Fal Safety Fryer
• Electric Wok
• Yogurt maker
• Ice cream maker
• Pasta machine
• Kabob it cooker
• Collectible tins
• Mixer set
• Galloping Gourmet roaster/cooker
• Lego set
• TV Trays
• Leather and Suede jackets
• Jewelry
• Books
• Movies
• Kids Stuffed Animals
• Girls Clothes (sizes small to large)
• 5 piece living room set
• Computer Games (kids and family)
• Housewares items (sheets, etc)
• Antique Style working telephone
• Wooden Rocking chair
• Outdoor lantern (hangs on the side of the house? – still in box!)

I’m sure I’m forgetting some things but you get the idea – there is a lot to choose from!

All items came from our homes and generous donations from family and friends. Except for a few items, all we ask is a donation, meaning we are taking offers for nearly every item listed.

The garage sale is located at:

44553 Hallauer Road, Oberlin OH 44074

If you’d like to come out and look, please do! If you’re not a fan of garage sales (or you’re too far away), you’re welcome to use the donation button in the sidebar. All monies received go directly to help cover the costs of her medicine this next year.

We are tentatively planning two other fundraisers and will have more details on them and how you can help in the next few weeks.

Last but not least…

When Zoe was last in the hospital, right before her 7th birthday, her and I spent the evening making a slideshow on my laptop to pass the time. Zoe picked from the pictures I had stored on my laptop, the song, the order of the pictures and even the effects. Before we put the finishing touches on it, I asked who the slideshow was for, and she said “my mom and dad”. I shared this slideshow once on my site but time got away from me and I forgot to post it here. I hope you all enjoy it.

For her Mom and Dad from Nichole Smith on Vimeo.

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