I arrived home one early December evening in 2009 with a Christmas tree, hoping my 19 year old son Bryson wanted to help me decorate it. He had not been not feeling well for a long time, several months or so. I had taken him to many doctors over the past 6 months, he had lost 50 lbs and couldn’t eat for quite a while. In my "mothers gut" I knew something was wrong and had been for a long time.

Bryson was calling from his room "mom, mom I can’t breath anymore." I rushed him to the ER at our local hospital, after several tests the doctors discovered that he had an enlarged heart and admitted him straight away. Four days later, our worst nightmare takes a turn for the worst, he goes into Cardiogenic shock and was put on a life support machine and was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Following behind him in the ambulance, I wondered, if I would ever speak to him again. My first sight of him in CCU was almost unbearable, machines everywhere keeping him alive. I counted over 20 IV’s in him. A nurse came in the room with tears in her eyes and asked "are you the mom?" I wanted to say no, this is not happening. The doctors told us, after a few days, that Bryson needed a heart transplant to survive. I couldn’t even process that in my mind at the time. Now, 17 months later, all I wish for is a new heart for my son.

I wrote a poem for my son Bryson for Mother’s Day and wanted to share it with you…

A Mothers Day Wish

I wished for you even before you were born.
I have no words to express how much I love you.
For it is because of you my life has true meaning,
being your mom has given me a true sense of being.
I have learned the meaning of unconditional love.

I wish I could have traded places with you many times,
to save you from fears, pain, doctors, hospitals, labs and
lastly a broken heart.
I know it is not fair, but it is what it is.
I am so proud of the way you can handle it, still smiling
and joking along the way.
I am proud to be your mom.

I wish for you a healthy, happy worry free life, with true
love, marriage, children, so you can understand the love
a parent has for their child.

So we are told you need a new heart to live this life
I wish for you.
Then I really only have one wish…
I wish for a heart for you, my boy, my son.
And did I tell you I love you? Whether we are
together or apart, just know you always have a
big piece of my heart.

Ava Kaufman, mother to her beautiful daughter Jade, has been an inspiration to Bryson and his mother Debbie. Ava is currently setting up her own foundation, Ava’s Heart, which will support transplant recipients. She is also a strong advocate for organ donation and is an Ambassador of Donate Life. Ava had a heart transplant two years ago and volunteers supporting others, who are waiting for a new heart. Ava once told Bryson that the only reason she survived was because of the love she had for her daughter, Jade, and that love is the purest thing in the world. Debbie’s love for her son inspires him everyday. Bryson knows his mom is his biggest fan! He is looking forward to being a parent one day himself, so he too, can give unconditional love to his child.

Please help show your love and support for Bryson and his family by donating blood!
We would like to have 25 people make an appointment to donate blood in Bryson’s honor, but the more the better!

Blood Drive in honor of Bryson Williams
Saturday June 18, 2011
10am-2pm
Turnpike shopping Center

Make an appointment by calling 1-800-715-3699
or go online:
http://www.blood4life.org/index.cfm?group=op&hlc=1599&hostlookupcode=1599
go to Make an appointment now
or
Blood Drive for Bryson Williams
Zip code is 93117
Thank you.

UPDATE: My Mother’s Day wish actually came true, thanks to all your good wishes and prayers. My son Bryson (21 yrs old) got the "CALL" for his new heart 2 days later (on Mexican Mother’s Day.) His 10 hour surgery went smoothly and today, he is completely free of tubes and IV’s. He is walking, talking and eating, like nothing ever happened. We have been blessed and send our prayers, love and thanks to the donor family for giving us this precious gift of life.

Thank you ModernMom and all the mother’s out there from the bottom of "my heart."