Mom's Tear-Jerking Message to the Strangers Who Saved Her Toddler's Life
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Kate Sanchez knows better than most that having a "medically complex child" puts you in a small community of parents. These moms and dads talk more about medical equipment and treatments than most and see more pictures of dying children or posts honoring those who have already passed than any person ever wants to see.
"It seeps into your soul. Their sweet faces are seen in your sleep," she shared on Love What Matter's Facebook page. "Each death is remembered no matter how close or far — your child mattered. Your child was loved by all who met them. Your child is remembered."
But to the parents whose child died, and ended up giving her own child a new life, Kate has an important message. For this family, whom she's never met, she wants them to know just how much their decision to donate their beloved child's organs has impacted her own little girl.
"How can I thank you for suffering as I have not? How can I thank you for bearing a burden we were almost called to carry?" she wrote in a powerful open letter. "How can I sit here and thank you for the loss of your baby?"
Instead, she wants these parents to know that she is praying for them everyday and the baby they lost. "You have given us everything. You have given us more smiles, more memories," she wrote. "You gave my baby life in a way I could not. Selflessly, you have turned both of our different pains into joy."
Kate explained that Bernadette's liver transplant wasn't "glamorous" like a heart but to her family, it was simply glorious:
Most don't find bowel sounds to be music to their ears. My sweet baby can go without hourly sugar checks now —which provides this tired mama with much needed rest. Her tummy is filled with formula, allowing her to try to eat real foods, instead of a central line accessed to allow veins to fill with IV nutrition.
One of the best things of all? Being able to see her beautiful face not covered in blood; not seeing her skin and eyes as yellow as sunflowers on a Summer day from all the bilirubin in her blood. A functioning liver. There are no words to describe how beautiful it is or how much most people take liver function for granted.
Life is a beautiful thing in all stages. Your baby's life was beautiful long before it saved mine on June 16th. Most likely your baby's life was filled with smiles and happy memories much like ours before cancer and liver failure were painted into the picture.
Because of your decision to let your baby be an organ donor in the toughest hours of your life, the beauty of your baby's life will continue to live on in those they helped. Like our baby, Bernadette. Because of you, she radiates joy and hope to all who meet her. "Bee" touches lives every day. She teaches people the beauty of life. The simple things. The beauty of watching Bee swim. The beauty of seeing her blow out candles on a birthday cake. Watching her relearn to walk again.
You're with us for it all. Your baby is part of our family. You're part of our family. And despite the sorrow, that is an incredible thing. Your child is remembered. Your child is and always will be loved. We will always express gratitude for all you've endured to make our life more joyful. You are our heroes. Your cape is cloaked in loss. Your mask is stained with tears. However, there you were, in our hour of need, in your hour of sorrow, saving lives.
Much love, respect, and infinite gratitude.