The Recipient of a Donor's Heart E-Book

Debra Lesia Judkins

• Herausgeber: Spines
• Kategorie: Gesellschafts- und Liebesromane
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

Passion and Gabriel's love weaves through life's tapestry, enduring youth, cultural divides, and family growth. Their unwavering bond overcomes fate's stumbles, their love a testament to time. As Passion's life ends, her spirit unites the grieving community, their tales echoing her light. Gabriel's journey through loss and memory becomes a healing process, aided by family and the pure perspectives of children. Their love story, a resilient dance between loss and renewal, guides Gabriel to embrace a hopeful future.

Leseprobe

THE RECIPIENT OF A DONOR’S HEART

TheRecipient of a Donor’sHeart

DebraLesiaJudkins

Copyright © 2025 by DebraLesiaJudkins

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

ISBN 979-8-89691-824-0

THE RECIPIENT OF A DONOR’S HEART

DEBRA LESIA JUDKINS

CONTENTS

Dedication

About the Author

Poem

Preface

1. How We Met

2. The Beginning Of A New Chapter

3. Joyful Sound Of A Completed Family

4. The Clock That Kept Me Moving Forward

5. Joy And Hope Of My Tomorrow

6. The Quest For Hope

7. Momma

8. The Heart That Fueled It All

9. Healing With A Positive Mind

10. The Recipient Of A Donor’s Heart

11. The Celebration Of Passion’s Life

12. Releasing Of The Dove

Acknowledgments

DEDICATION

I dedicate this book to my husband, LarryJudkinsSR. His genuine love and constant support have been my greatest source of strength and inspiration.". He has brought so much fun into my plans and projects and has always taken the time to care for what really matters.

I feel incredibly lucky when I think about all he has done and how much he has meant to me since the day he came into my life. He has shown the significance of our marriage and his commitment to engaging in actions that contribute to our mutual growth.

Larry, a husband, set aside for me to find, and yet he found me. Over the years, we have had many talks. He has always reminded me of my various talents and encouraged me to enjoy and make the most of whatever I was working on.

WheneverI experienced boredom, he helped me transition to my next endeavor. The choices I made throughout my life are a testament to the wife I am to him today. He is an exceptional husband, encouraging me not to be afraid and reassuring me that no challenge is too great for me to manage. He has motivated me to exceed my dreams, even at the mature age of sixty-seven. During our forty-four years together, he continues to discover and help develop my talents.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

DebraMcGrone-Judkins, known to many as "Inndiah," began her writing journey in the mid-1970s. Her mother was the first to notice her daughter's numerous talents, and it was through this recognition that Debra's passion for writing blossomed. Despite her natural skill for storytelling, Debra often wrote her pieces only to set them aside and begin anew with the next story.

In addition to her literary pursuits, Debra also delved into the world of music. She started a singing career that showcased her talents on a broader scale and took her to new heights. Her artistic expression was not confined to writing and singing; she also embraced acting, performing in various plays and writing numerous play manuscripts.

Debra's diverse talents have taken her across the globe, enriching her experiences and broadening her perspectives. "This is her first published novel," a testament to her dedication and love for storytelling. Her journey is a captivating narrative of creativity, resilience, and boundless talent, making her a multifaceted artist whose work continues to inspire.

POEM

REACHING FOR WHAT IS ACHIEVABLE

When you reach for what is achievable, nothing is certain. Yet, when the reachable becomes the achieved, you have conquered battles and triumphed in the war.

Close your eyes. Extend your arms. Flap them as if they were wings, wings that dare to defy gravity. Fly high among the birds of prey.

Let your imagination travel, unbound and free, as if you were a bird soaring unseen over untouched lands and untold worlds, where no man's eyes have wandered.

For those who have wings, do not give in. Do not falter. You can rise beyond because when the reachable becomes achievable, doubt no longer lingers. It fades away, and victory reigns.

Your imagination is the bridge to reality, a flight that begins with faith and vision.

ByDebraLesiaJudkins

PREFACE

This book is about two children growing up on the same street, playing in the park with all the other children. They would always find themselves playing together every time they went to the park, not realizing that they were neighbors on the same block. WheneverPassion came to the park, Gabriel was already there, waiting and watching to see if she would come. He always made sure to have a swing waiting for her. Both parents were there, watching the children as they played.

As school started, they found themselves in the same class throughout the first to fifth grade. They had this connection in junior high school and high school, continuing to be best friends. However, their parents were quite wary of this relationship. Gabriel came from a Muslim background, while Passion came from a Catholic background. They knew their parents would never agree to any kind of relationship between the two of them, so they kept it quiet as they headed off to college.

One day, both sets of parents caught them holding hands. They had wanted to surprise the kids. Passion's mom and dad were waving their hands at her, and they noticed Gabriel looking in the other direction. They were confused about what he was looking at, and then they saw his mom and dad watching him. Gabriel knew that this one barrier—religion—could never be overcome. They could not fall in love with each other; it was forbidden. But it didn't stop them; they kept it a secret.

After their second year of college, these episodes continued. The parents could see that no matter what they said or their beliefs were, the two would always be together. So, both sets of parents allowed them to love openly and freely.

As time went on, Gabriel and Passion finished college, got married, and had two kids of their own. Those children grew up and had their own families.

Moving forward, as they became empty nesters, they started traveling and seeing some of the places they always wanted to visit. They constantly visited their children and grandchildren. However, over the years, traveling back and forth on the airplane got to be a little too much for Gabriel.

Throughout their lives, Gabriel and Passion faced numerous challenges, but the hardest one was when Passion became sick. Gabriel had to rush her to the hospital, and she became terminally ill. The neighbors on the street became concerned about what was happening to Passion when she was diagnosed with cancer.

By this time, everyone did their best to help Gabriel and Passion as she returned home. Later on, the ambulance came one night and picked up Passion to take her back to the hospital, but she didn't make it this time. Gabriel’s world spiraled upside down to the point where he became bitter and hard, enclosed in his home, not understanding what had happened to his world. He started saying harsh words to his neighbors, seeing they still had their wives, holding hands and doing the things every couple does. He became bitter and said many unkind words to everyone, even though they continued to bring things to his home to help him out and periodically bring food. Paul and Jenny were Passion and Gabriel’s next-door neighbors, and no matter how he treated her, Jenny still brought soup over to him to eat or whatever they had cooked for dinner that evening.

A year passed, and Jenny became sick. One day, Gabriel was looking out the window and saw an ambulance at his neighbor's house—it was Jenny. She had suffered a stroke. When she arrived at the hospital, the doctors informed her family that she wasn't going to make it. Since she was an organ donor, they kept her on life support to see where her organs could be donated.

The very next day, Gabriel, still grieving the loss of Passion, had a massive heart attack and ended up in the hospital himself. The doctors told him and his children that he needed a new heart. The doctor informed his children that they had a heart available for him if he was willing to accept it. The children signed the paperwork to accept the donor's heart. Gabriel underwent the heart transplant and began to heal, still unsure of what had happened to him.

Some time passed, and Gabriel began to feel different. He once had a feeling of hate and resentment in his heart, but now he felt love and compassion. Later in the story, Gabriel discovers that his neighbor Jenny was his organ donor—they gave him Jenny’s heart. This revelation changed Gabriel’s whole outlook, and he began to think back on how he had treated Jenny and his neighbors harshly. All his neighbors wanted to do was offer comforting words to him.

AsGabriel reflected on his journey, he became “TheRecipient of a Donor’sHeart,” and with this heart, he was able to love again, healing from the broken heart that he once had.

This book has a lot of twists and turns, filled with pain, loss, and triumph. Especially when Passion returns to him in a dream to bring comfort. They had closure with a dance to their favorite song they used to dance to.

HOW WE MET

The golden light of the summer sun shined across the sky, casting long shadows over the playground. It was a day my family and I would have a picnic near the community playground. The squeaking of the swings blended with the sound of children’s laughter, but my attention was on a boy standing near the swing set, Gabriel. His dark eyes locked with mine for a moment before he looked away. I was uncertain whether to speak to him or simply keep watching.

He looked around my age, maybe a little taller, with a quiet sort of confidence. I knew Mom preferred I play with the girls, but something about him made me forget that rule. BeforeI talked myself out of it, I jumped off the swing and walked over to where he was standing.

"Hi, my name is Passion." I stuck my hand out. My heart was beating a little fast.

Gabriel hesitated before shaking my hand, but when he did, his fingers were warm against mine. Then, with his eyes wide open, he spoke loudly, saying, "You’re really pretty."

I blinked, and I was surprised. No boy had ever told me that before. A smile stretched across my face. "Thank you," I said, rocking back on my heels.

"Wanna swing? Gabriel asked, “I can push you," he offered, gazing deep into my eyes.

"Sure!"

I climbed onto the swing, and he pushed me slowly at first, then higher. We laughed, and the world around us seemed to disappear. When the other kids approached us, excited for their turn to swing, Gabriel stood firm. "No, this swing is for Passion," he declared, much to their disappointment. "Maybe later."

After what felt like forever, having fun with Gabriel, I faintly heard my mother calling me. I hopped off the swing. "I have to go. “My mom’s calling," I said, glancing toward the picnic tables where my family was sitting.

"Me too," Gabriel replied, pointing to where his mother sat, watching. "Will you come back tomorrow?"

I nodded, a smile tugging at my lips. "I live nearby."

"ThenI will see you again," he said, waving before running off.

After eating, I asked my mom if I could return to the swing set. She said I could but told me to be careful not to get my dress messed up because we had somewhere to go that evening. I assured her, "Okay, Mom, I will not."

We played some more, and Gabriel pushed me a little too high because when I tried to get off the swing, I fell and got my dress dirty. He looked at me and said, "Passion, I am so sorry. I did not mean to do that." I replied, "It's okay. My mom can wash it." Gabriel said, "Are you sure?" “Yes.” He asked if I would be coming back again to play at the park. I said yes. He asked if I lived in the neighborhood, and I told him I did. "ThenI will see you again," he said. We got back into our car and began to travel back home.

I was sitting on the steps of my house when I saw from a distance the little boy I had been playing with at the park. He waved, and I waved back, feeling a spark of excitement. "Mom, that is the little boy who played with me at the park," I said. She looked over and said, "Oh, the one who got your dress dirty and then apologized? That was sweet of him."

I asked my mom if I could ride my bike, and she said yes. Gabriel, who lived across the street, saw me getting my bike out and got his, too. We rode on our sides of the street, racing to see who could reach the corner the fastest. We laughed and enjoyed our little competition until my mom called out, "It's time to get ready for supper." I told Gabriel, "I have to go inside now and have supper. I will talk to you later." He replied, "Okay, Passion. I will see you later."

AfterI cleaned up and had dinner, my mom told me it was time for bed. I could not help but think about what a beautiful day it had been—a day I did not want to forget. People might think little kids do not know what love is, but I greatly liked Gabriel.

WhenChristmas came around, we put up a nice tree, and I noticed Gabriel did not have a Christmas tree in his window. I asked my mom why. She explained, "Passion, they have a different religion. We are catholic, and they are Muslim. They do not celebrate Christmas." "But why, Mom?" I asked. She said, "One day, when you get older, you will understand."

Determined to share the joy of giving, I always found a way to sneak a small gift for Gabriel at school. I wanted him to experience what it was like to receive a present. He never told his parents about the gift.

We went shopping for clothes and school supplies. On the first day of school, my mom packed my lunch, and I got on the bus. To my delight, Gabriel got on the bus, too. He walked past me, grinning from ear to ear, and I was grinning just as widely. I was so happy he was on the bus with me, going to the same school.

When we arrived at school, we made our way in. Gabriel complimented my book bag, and I told him I liked his too. I knew he wanted to hold my hand, and I wanted to hold his, but we had to follow the school rules.

As we went into our classroom, I realized Gabriel and I were in the same class. I was so happy because I knew then that I had a good friend.

We took our bags and put them on the shelf, which was meant for our books and school supplies. I sat down at my desk, and the teacher greeted us, "Good morning, children. Let me introduce myself. My name is Ms. Butler. I am so happy to have you all in my class. Now that we have that out of the way. I will walk down each aisle, and each of you will tell me your names." When it became my turn, I said my name was Passion. Then, the boy sitting right behind me said, "My name is Gabriel." I felt shy and did not look around like everyone else did.

Our first subject was English. The teacher asked us to pull out our books. As we read, she could tell which students needed more help. Gabriel was a little slower than me, so we helped each other out. Our teacher taught us that we should always help one another and that no one was better than anyone else. I liked our teacher; she was nice to us.

As we moved on to the next subject, I became Gabriel's helper in the classroom. Gabriel did not want anyone else to get too close to me because he said I was his friend.

Lunchtime arrived, and the lunch bell rang. We went to the lunch hall, and I opened my lunch bag to find a sandwich, a bag of chips, an apple, and two cookies that my mom had made for me. Gabriel had different food prepared by his mom. He asked if he could have half of my peanut butter and jelly sandwich. I gave it to him, and he said, "You know, Passion, this tastes good. I've never had this before." I replied, "You haven't?" He said, "No, we do not eat food like this." I told him, "We always eat like this." Gabriel asked, “Do you think you can bring an extra sandwich for me tomorrow?”

The next day, I asked my mom to make an extra sandwich for Gabriel. She said, "That would be so nice.