It has been 4 YEARS!  I don't remember anything about New Years Day 2020.  I was sedated because of receiving my new heart the day before.  What I do remember is what life was like the years leading up to my transplant as well as the years since. Everything God has created is amazing, including the human body and its resiliency.  Most people have no idea of what I was physically going through leading up to my transplant nor the couple years after.    

Yesterday, as I was walking out of church, I saw a guy wearing a sweat shirt that had the saying, "You never know what someone is going through" on it.  There was a time in my life that I would have thought this was a weird thing for someone to wear.  Yesterday, my first thought was, I hope he or someone close to him is okay.  Then I wondered if he went through something similar to me.  How many people do we interact with every day who are going through their own journey and we have no idea? 

Today, I can say that I feel 100% healthy.  This past year I have felt zero limitations from my new heart.  When people ask me what it is like to have a new heart, the first thing I would respond with is when doctors place a new heart, nerves are severed.  Your new heart then relies on a chemical produced to pump faster.  So if I go for a run or do anything physical, it takes a few minutes for my heat to beat faster. If I push it too much at first, I get light headed until the chemical is released.  After I get done with physical exertion, it takes more time for my heart rate to slow down.  I don't have that anymore.  My heart rate goes up and down as if it were never transplanted.  I am so thankful for that!  It has literally been a decade since I have felt this good.

For 2024, my goal is to become more patient, kinder and an encourager.  You never know what someone is going through.  Rejoice with those that are rejoicing, weep with those who are weeping.  Some day, all the bad will be gone and those that have accepted Jesus into their hearts will live in eternity without any grief or sorrow.

Below is a link to a short segment of a sermon Louie Konopka gave a while back in church.  It sums it all up.  (you will have to copy and paste it in your browser)

https://fb.watch/piFR87X00j/

Revelation 21: 3-4

Romans 12: 14-21

Tim D.