LAURA'S NEW HEART
(Introduction)
On January 18th, 2001, I had a heart transplant. At the
time of this publication, I am two and a half years post
transplant. Writing my story was something I felt compelled
to do. The cathartic process of writing helped me digest
and integrate my survival of a traumatic near-death experience.
Today my health and quality of life is normal and healthy.
It’s almost as if the entire experience is like a
blip on the screen of memory. I now re-read my own words
and work to remember the level of transcendent realizations,
gratitude and humility that spontaneously occurred throughout
this journey. This has become a part of my spiritual practice,
one that I am happy to embrace.
We live in a culture segregated from death and dying. This
separation creates an unfortunate spiritual price to us
all. My experiences gifted me with priceless understandings
some of which I do my best to convey to you. Like many trauma
survivors there is a desire to remember, to relive, a longing
to understand and embody the deep spiritual mysteries that
are awakened when we walk alongside the reality of our mortality.
As you journey with me, I encourage you to journey with
yourself, reflecting on your own mortality. As you read
the story I encourage you to slow down and take time to
speak aloud the affirmations that you will come upon as
you move along in the book. I repeated them in my mind hundreds
of time to ease my mental stress through challenging moments.
You may wish to utilize the open-ended sentences at the
end of each chapter to inspire your own internal exploration
and self-discovery. The thought invitations are designed
to take you into the subconscious layers of your mind where
they will stimulate your imagination, creativity and inspire
your self-reflective insights.
I send you wishes to become increasingly aware of God’s
blessings and love constantly showering upon you with each
beat of your heart.
