One year ago today, I made a decision that remains one of the best things I’ve ever done. After six months of extensive medical screening and lots of personal consideration and prayer, I was wheeled into surgery to become an altruistic living kidney donor. Following the four hour surgery, I learned that the kidney recipient was recovering in a nearby room and had asked to see me. Surrounded by our wonderful friends and families, we tearfully met for the first time and began to build a unique kinship — a lifelong brotherhood forged at the cusp of death and fueled by a deep respect and friendship. We are no longer strangers.
The times we live in seem particularly cruel. Our politics have forced so many of us to choose a side that, at our core, may seem unnatural, isolating, harsh and lonely. My decision to donate the gift of life to a total stranger was an effort to break out of the “us vs. them” mindset that was feeding my daily decisions — restaurants, travel, entertainment, etc. Thankfully, the recipient of my kidney is enjoying a new lease on life — off of dialysis, out of the hospital, back to work, a life saved — but it’s MY life that feels renewed. Doing something completely selfless was the greatest political act of my life — a total rejection of Trumpism and a repudiation of the GOP agenda that seeks to pit angry Americans against one another.
So, as we work feverishly to turn out the vote, flip the House and Senate, elect Democratic governors and build a new generation of progressive state legislators, I am thankful that I can approach this effort with less rage and hostility and show more love, compassion and understanding. For one year ago today, my life was revitalized by a selfless gift of unconditional love for a total stranger — the forces of hate in this country will no longer be able to count me as one of their victims.