Goodbye 2010

2010, you have been good to us.  Our family thrived.  We celebrated.  1in100 made a difference.  Thank you for that.

But I wish you could have been better to others.

To the 11 families who had to say goodbye to their babies – EVERY SINGLE DAY of 2010 – because of heart defects that were beyond repair.

To the thousands of lives that were shattered because burying a child in a coffin the size of a shoe box is WRONG.

To the families that fell apart because their pain was too deep to bear.

To those that languished in hospital rooms, often for months at a time.

To physicians that tried, but sometimes failed to mend broken hearts.

A good friend just sent me a note this afternoon – hoping this for 2011:  that fewer patients die; fewer clinicians endure the traumatic impact; and more patients and physicians are brought closer together through adversity and success.

2011, I don’t know you yet, but I already aspire great things for you.  May you fulfill the best wishes and brightest hopes of those you touch.