The worries of him not receiving a heart transplant in time and then that he would not survive the arduous surgery were replaced with overwhelming joy, gratefulness, and a pang of sorrow for our gift of life and the loss of life that was the cost.
Here is an oft shared remembrance of that whirlwind of a day. It was that night that we were able to see Jacob for the first time post surgery.
He is very much aware of what's going around him. Though, he can't speak because of the ventilator tube down his mouth and his hands are secured to restrict movement he is communicating his desires.
A doctor walked in with a cup of coffee in his hand. When Jacob saw it he pointed to it with his finger and stuck his tongue out. He was thirsty! The nurse said that if things go right tonight, they may take the tube out and he would be able to eat. I joked, "no hot wings yet," and Jacob snapped his finger as if to say, "oh, man!"
He has not lost his spirit! But pray that his spiritedness won't cause frustration as we can't understand a lot of his motions or he can't have all that he wants - like a coke!
That spirit of wanting to live life in its fullness - hot wings, flaming Cheetos, and all - taught me and many others to do the same (the living of life, certainly not the flaming hot Cheetos!). That extinguished life is sorely missed at these times when families gather but, hopefully, we will honor him in the way we enjoy that precious family time. I also hope that his nephews and nieces will ask questions and want us to share stories about their Uncle Jacob. There are plenty to tell.
