A Second Chance
By Suzanne Odham
It's a constant struggle
from day to day.
So many obstacles,
that get in the way.
My father has dealt
with this continuous process.
He refuses to give up,
or settle for less.
A diabetic man
with a courageous heart.
Firm beliefs and hopes
are just a start.
Days fly by,
and years seem to follow.
For my family that was
a hard pill to swallow.
We watched him get worse
as the days went by.
They gave us the news,
and we wanted to cry.
A transplant that would
forever change my father's life.
So he could continue to love and care
for his children and wife.
A kidney was needed
to better his health.
Something so precious
would give him internal wealth.
We patiently waited
for the perfect person.
Hoped and prayed
before his condition worsened.
Many came to see us
and help provide.
Family and loved ones
remained by our side.
A long, lost cousin
volunteered to pitch in.
My father was one step closer
to the battle he must win.
The day of the surgery
finally came.
Everyone knew that my father
would not be the same.
We waited for hours
to hear the good news.
The transplant was a success
he had nothing to lose.
This act of kindness
by going under the knife
brightened my father's future
and saved his life.
He is able to get around
without the help of machines.
His generous cousin
does not know how much that means.
My father is not quite
the man he used to be.
He is a completely different person,
which is easy to see.
He is thankful for those
who stood by his side.
For such loving people
his feelings he cannot hide.
One woman's kindness
gave my father a brand new lifestyle.
We must all admit
that it was worth the while.
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