For the Heart

I should be writing my paper on Organizational Architecture for my economics class... 

I realized this week that this January will be 3 years since my last cardiologist appointment.  I have being seeing my (Pediatric) cardiologist every 2 years since I was 14.  Three years ago he told me he wanted me wait 3 years.  That will be this January.  Today it hit me.  This September it will be 31 years since my open heart surgery.  Why am I writing about 31 years and not 30? 

When I was little I would dream about being 31, married with 4 kids (as we can see the 4 kids part is taking awhile) and I wondered what my scar would look like.  I never had to worry about my heart.  (My mom did that for me.  Oy!)  I heard of children going in for their second, third...fifth or even tenth surgery.  I only needed one to fix the hole in my heart.  I am very lucky.  A few days ago my friend had to take her 4 year old in for angioplasty to clear away some scar tissue. 

Again, I never needed to go back.  Every year I got the stamp of approval from my cardiologist that I had no restrictions (shh...don't tell my husband...I need a reason to get out of mowing the yard).  I ran track, played the trumpet, and did vigorous work at my job throughout college. 

Here I am 31 years later with a heart that is still ticking away.  I pray I continue to get a good report from my cardiologist.  A blessing I do not take for granted.  It is my heart that I carry on my sleeve.  A heart that has gone through more than open heart surgery.

To my heart, let's make it another 31+ years.