for granted

I know I lead a privileged life.  I'm not rich, nor am I poor.  I'm not exceptionally brilliant or especially stupid.  I'm not too tall or too short or too fat or too thin.  I have healthy children, a loving family, a wonderful husband, amazing friends, a good job.  I try not to take these things for granted, and facing death I imagine I'd have to take into account whether or not I have taken these things for granted.

It's a million degrees in the shade here, and my palms are as sweaty as the rest of my body.  That hasn't stopped me from pressing my sweaty palms together for  woman who can't afford to take anything for granted, least of all the donor whose hear & lungs she received today.

My heart aches for the family of the donor, and sings for the possibility of having my sweet Kate to keep me company on those late nights processing pictures, or, come September, while I'm doing my homework.  It'll be a few days before we have news.  I'm trembling.  And praying.  I haven't any more words.  Only HOPE.