Sunday, April 24, 2011

Our Easter Miracle


(I started this Sunday evening but never finished it. Sorry it's late.)



Happy Easter

Mason is truly our Easter Miracle!



Last year our family took a huge leap of faith.
We temporarily separated for an unknown amount
of time to live in different states so Mason could
be on the heart transplant waiting list. We knew
it could be at least 12 months that Mason would
await a good match. If he could make it that long
was always our worry. But after only 4 weeks of being
on the transplant list (and 6 weeks of Mason and I
being in California away from our family)..............


Mason received his new heart on Easter Sunday!
What a Miracle!!!
(This picture was just a few hours after his
transplant surgery with big brother Preston.)




And here is Mason this Easter!
Healthy and Happy!



Even though he still refuses to walk, nothing
stopped him from joining in on the Easter egg hunt!
His little 'bum scoot' gets him around just fine.
(At least that's what he thinks!)




This was last year while Mason was in the OR
receiving his new sparkly Easter heart.
It was so special to have the whole family
together that day as we prayed for our sweet Mason.
(They had come to visit for Spring Break)




And this year.....here we are celebrating Easter together at home!



Easter was an emotional day for me this year. It has always been a very special holiday as we remember our Savior Jesus Christ, His life, His example, His ultimate sacrifice, His atonement, and His resurrection. But, now it even has a more personal meaning for our family. I spent a lot of time thinking about Mason's donor family and the sacrifice they made for us. It is a perfect example of Christ like love and sacrifice. I truly pray they know how much they gave to our family on a day they lost their sweet little one. Ultimately it is unconditional love what they did for Mason and our family. They had no idea who would receive their child's heart (and probably other organs as well), but they donated anyways. It was true love and kindness that gave our Mason a second chance at life last Easter Sunday.



I will forever be grateful for Mason's donor family. I pray and hope that they too believe because of our Savior they will get to reunite again with their little one someday.


A beautiful Easter scripture to leave you with today:

‘And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.’” revelations 21:4


Happy Easter! Happy Spring!



5 comments:

Mindi D said...

I loved this post. SOO special. I thought about him alot on Easter, we even mentioned him in our FHE lesson that week. He is such a special little dude, thanks for sharing his journey :)

Heather's Blog said...

I was just watching an Oprah about Charles Tillman who plays for Chicago bears and their daughter who received a heart transplant. I was thinking about you. I looked up your blog and saw that Mason received a new heart. I'm so happy for you guys!!! What an ordeal you've been through...and what a miracle.

Ella F. said...

Easter will never be the same for our family after watching you and Mason and your family's miracle. Happy Easter Stricklands!

Atlanta Plastic Surgeons said...

It is a hard decision to take away one for treatment and since such a serious one.The heart transplant really does help many who are suffering from the weak heart.Dr. Ordon plastic surgeon

Britt said...

Hi Miracel Mason and family! Love to read your sweet words. I may be bugging you for mom input on all of this heart stuff. Hatcher got his labs for transplant info and a CT scan is planned for this week to see if he would even be eligable for transplant. He was on echmo for almost a week and has had lots of other procedures that may make transplant not an option for us. If it is I hope I can get a hold of you and you can give me some good mommy advice. How wonderful to see you all at home with your sweet little Mason this Easter. I feel like we have already meet, thanks for sharing with us!