Let me start of by saying I am sorry I was unable to share new autoimmune diseases through the month of November. It has been a roller coaster of tears and joyful moments. Let me share with you what has been going on.........it will make you smile.
Holly and I grew up just like normal siblings do. We stole each others close, argued about having to hang out together and yes, she had a little temper and kicked a whole through my bedroom door because I hid her chewy sprees!!!!!!! Thinking about that makes me laugh so hard!!!! Holly and her chewy sprees and skittles, those were her weaknesses as we grew up. As we got older and I entered high school and Holly was in middle school the fights were more emotional between the two of us. I contribute that to hormones in teenage girls!
When I became a senior in high school Holly moved into the high school as a freshman. At this time I actually saw my Holly as not just a sister but as a friend. We were both cheerleaders, had practices together and we even dated brothers, hehehehehehe!!!!! Of course we still fought and we did this at school sometimes but nothing to bad. Holly was also my protector and she became my voice when I would get picked on. You would think that would be the role of a big sister but you see, I was soft spoken, never wanted to fight and Holly knew that. We attended dances together. Holly was on homecoming court in the fall and I was on homecoming court in the winter. My senior year would have meant absolutely nothing to me if it weren't for my sister.
Let me tell you a little bit about my sister and who she has become over the years. Holly went to school and has her bachelor's degree in psychology and went on to get her master's degree. She is brilliant and has used her education in every job she has had and she is always confident with her work. She married Russ and they had a beautiful wedding I was apart of. A few years later I had a package from Holly delivered to my door. She had just been on vacation so I really thought she sent me a treat from her travels. When I opened the box Holly told me she was pregnant through the onsie! I was going to be an aunt!!!!! A few more years later she called me while we were at one of Tim's mountain bike races and asked if I was ready to be an aunt again!!!!!!!! Holly has grown effortlessly into her roles as a wife and as a mother. The beauty she shows in her face when she talks about her family is something I rarely see from others. She is truly happy and complete with her amazing husband and her two angels that she loves to death!!!!!
A week ago Holly put on her big girl pants and settled into the hospital. She had a headache but that was not why she was there. You see, one of our closest and dearest friend, Todd, has a kidney disease and last February they tested family and friends. Little by little the list got shorter and shorter. It seemed like no one was going to be a match. In the beginning Holly wanted to get tested but as long as Mia was breastfeeding she could not be tested. Once Mia was drinking from a cup Holly started the process. Little by little she had tests done, repeated blood work and 24 hour urine tests. We still were not sure if Holly was going to be a match. If she was a match they would call her in a few weeks to set up a body scan and that will indicate she is a match. A few weeks later Holly received the call for the scan and in the end she was a match for Todd. Holly wanted to donate one of her kidneys to Todd. It took her a day or two to tell Kim and Todd but she eventually did and it was a very emotional moment in their lives. The date of the operation was scheduled for November 20th. When they checked in their rooms were very close and so I warned them not to party tooooo hard or else they will kick them out!!!!! November 20th was a beautiful day. The operation was a success and our families are truly connected. They are both home and still recovering but they are both doing amazing!!!!
I always knew Holly would do amazing things with her life and would make wonderful choices along the way. In this one moment everyone could see the sister I love and the sister I see not only with my eyes but truly see her with my heart. When I asked Holly how she felt once she found out she was the downer she just simply stated, "This not something I want to do but it is something I have to do." She knew she held the gift of life Todd needed. Todd has done so many things for our family and we have known them from the moment we were born. In true Holly style she kept everything very private during this process. She didn't want to be called a hero because according to her she is not. She just wanted to have it done and know that Todd will be ok.
Holly is my sister, my best friend and a strong individual. So, Holly you are my hero not just because of the surgery, you are my hero because you give and love so many around you. You never ask for anything from anyone. You give freely and love unconditionally Those are the reasons I must say, Holly I love you, adore you and you are a hero in my book!
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