Marla (Fagerness) Morrow

Dear Classmates,

Ah to be two places at once!  The night of our 30-year high school reunion, I was strolling through the pines of Custer State Park, South Dakota, avoiding buffalo pies by the grace of celestial light.  I paused to acquaint myself with the sounds and smells of massive rock and beast, of fluid order and peace.  The sky above was yours as it was ours in a world so far away from city.  I took in a deep breath.

"Tonight's my 30 year high school reunion," I said to my husband, Steve.  "My friends..."  I thought of you having a goodtime laughing, sharing, hugging, dressed up in semi-formal attire.  Semi-formal attire!  Nostalgia vanished under the clear night sky.  I felt my bountiful chicken dinner winging it's way through my digestive tract.  "Thank God I'm not squeezed into a pair of double-paneled, tummy-control, spandex-reinforced panty hose", I exclaimed.  I let my stomach ease against the give of my elastic-banded shorts and looked up at the sky.  "But they're all there..."

I knew that I had made the right decision to attend the Morrow Family Reunion in the Black Hills of South Dakota where the buffalo roam, but I longed to be with you, my friends.

Here are some phrases and words that are descriptive of my life that might have surfaced in conversation with you.  Europe with Suzy Foley.  Trip of a lifetime.  North Idaho with Norma (Scherer) Ninomiya.  Trip of a lifetime.  Love at first sight. Stevie Morrow!  Henley Aerodrome.  Athol, Idaho.  Skydiving.  (My sweetheart, not me!)  Sacrament of Marriage.  Camp N Sid Sen, Lake Coeur d'Alene.  November.  Outdoor wedding.  Freezing temps.  Instrumentalist's lips stick to flute.  No recessional!  South America.  Home on the lake.  Snow.  Water.  Photography.  My Taj Mahal.  A barn built by Steve.  New life.  A foal!  Dogs.  Cats.  Chickens.  Ducklings.  Piglet sailing.  Sleds.  Skis.  Saddles.  Boots.  Trail rides.  Mom and Al.  Brother Doug.  Sister Cheryll.  Red-haired and tow-headed nieces and nephews.  Where the wildflowers bloom overlooking the bay.  Where the deer cross the mountain meadow.  Doe. Spotted fawn.  Lynx tracks.  Apple tree.  Bear scat.  Pacific Horse Center. (This is where I learned to jump!)  Tellington Touch Equine Awareness Method Practitioner Certification.  Mustangs.  Endurance Racing.  Back to Western Washington.  Organic gardening.  Master Gardener.  Executive Board.  Water aerobics.  Tai Chi.  Feldenkrais.  Ballet.  The Nutcracker.  Trumpeter Swans. Stephen Ministry.  The Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.  The Tour deFleur.   Race for the Cure.  Cancer.  Renal failure.  Norma, Suzy, Beth Brinkmeyer.  Willing donors. The best of friends.   Finally, the long-awaited gift of life and love!

On May 27th, 1999, my husband, Steve, donated one of his kidneys to me and saved my life.  His kidney was a perfect fit, pinked up with blood and began to work immediately!  Now I've got him under my skin!

I am healthy.  I am blessed.  I am thankful and rejoice in each day.  My husband, Steve, is a Saint and I hold dear this fragile, precious, fleeting gift of life.

Last year I helped author a resolution supporting and encouraging organ and tissue donation.  It was passed unanimously by our church and the regional conference.  In July we will take the resolution to our denomination’s national conference for probable passage.  The potential for life-saving organ and tissue donation within an organization this size is profound.    Last summer Steve and I attended the US Transplant Olympic Games in Orlando.  The intent of the Games is to heighten awareness of the need for organ and tissue donation and to demonstrate the success of transplantation through athletic performance.

Here comes the inevitable question.  Do you desire to be an organ and tissue donor?  A card is only an expression of your intent.  You must discuss your decision to donate with your family as surviving family members make the ultimate decision.  Have you considered being a living donor?  There is no greater gift than the gift of life, which represents the highest form of compassion and love for others.

With this beautiful new kidney I have Montana and Idaho blood coursing through my veins.  I am home in three states and have two sets of biological parents.  I went to Billings, Montana as a child and got a new suit for Easter, necktie and all!  I grew up in historical Wallace, Idaho and was a miner.  I lived in a brewery building and have been in a drunken brawl or two!  I have good parts!  And I have learned how to resolve the quandary of wanting to be two places at once - become an organ donor!

May this find you rejoicing in the gift of your life and living it in good health and happiness.

Love,

Marla (Fagerness) Morrow