In February of this year, our perfectly healthy little boy got sick. Within days we were being told his liver was failing. We heard words no parent ever expects to hear and prayed for the miracle that would save our son.

 

And then Brooke said yes.

 

She gave a piece of herself to give our boy a second chance at life. I remember thinking once we got that liver, we just had to get him through transplant and then we could breathe again. I know now this journey doesn’t work that way.

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There have been four hospitalizations. PICU rooms. Procedures. Drains. A chest tubes. Fluid around his lungs and belly. A blood clot. More procedures, medications, labs and phone calls.

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So many moments of relief followed by another that knocks the wind out of you. And through every single one, our boy just keeps going. He fights harder than anyone I have ever known.

But when I think about the last five months, I also think about how much love surrounded us through it.

 

We never expected a GoFundMe. We didn’t start one or ask for one. It was started because so many of you wanted to help.

 

And then you showed up.

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You prayed. You shared his story. You brought meals. You loved our girls. You checked on us. You celebrated every win and hurt with us through every setback. Friends, clients, school families, neighbors, strangers and parents who could feel our fear too.

Everything given for Oliver has been put away for Oliver. For his future, his medical care and whatever this life after transplant brings him. Because transplant wasn’t the end. It was the beginning of the rest of his life.

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This isn’t Oliver’s whole story. Not even close. But this part is about a woman who said yes. Friendship. Community. Faith. Parents hurting for another parent’s child. And so, so much love.

 

One day Oliver will know all of it. How hard he fought. What Brooke did for him. And how an entire army prayed for him, loved him and rooted for him to grow up.

Thank you for loving our family and most of all, thank you for loving our boy.