Husband Received a New Heart and Kept His Old Wife – A Wife’s Life With a Heart Transplant Recipient

August 4, 2007

Vacationing in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, over the weekend proved to be more than a typical weekend vacation. Enjoying our stay at the resort, the day’s events blurred even though I had been scribbling notes as things grabbed my attention.

I met Luke at an outlet mall. Because his blue eyes sparkled, I could almost see my own reflection in his eyes. We spoke and he shared information about the area’s best entertainment. “Luke reminds me of Stephen Curtis Chapman,” I silently said. Between his captivating smile and his Paul Newman eyes, I felt I had rediscovered an old friend.

I asked my husband if he would get the coupon from our car, which could be used in the stores where we browsed. Without hesitation, my husband of 27 years walked to our car.

Luke and I began talking about the area’s different performers. Before I realized what was happening, the true story of how my husband received a heart transplant two years ago spilled effortlessly from my mouth. Luke’s eyes opened wide as I saw his comprehension of what I had just said.

My husband returned from the car with the coupon I requested. Luke eagerly shook my husband’s hand, although I am certain Ron did not know what had been discussed.

Continuing with our conversation, I told Luke, “My husband received a new heart and … actually kept his old wife.” The pause in my own realization of what I said unexpectedly startled me. We chuckled, not because of the heart transplant but because of the irony of my husband receiving a new heart and keeping his old wife. Of course, this is no laughing matter. However, the old adage of “out with the old and in with the new” caught us off guard. Luke smiled and said, “I believe there’s a country music song in there somewhere.” Perhaps he’s right.

Laughter prepares people to accept information in different ways. Our chuckles that Saturday morning were in jest, yet I realized my coping mechanism of laughter and faith had successfully carried me over obstacles I had never fathomed I would experience. In my miniscule way, I am beginning to understand God’s goodness and protection.

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