We went inside to claim some space for this now expanded family of 10 within the beautiful shrine amid friends and so many other donor families. We felt such emotions sitting there, not knowing that the gathering from our large Team Philadelphia was abuzz with the spreading story that “Jim was finally going to be having a surprise meeting with his heart’s donor!” They all knew this story, shared so many times in many different venues as a means of supporting others who were awaiting their own organ donation, donations that could only be possible if similar family decisons would be made. How hard it was for the select few who had known of these plans, the inner circle of friends who had been called upon by Jay to help make it happen, who had kept this secret for almost six months, who continued their silence in respect for Jay’s desire to keep the privacy of such a moment of meeting even now as it was unfolding. Just for now, this was truly a heart-to-heart moment and we didn’t know how Gilberto would feel about such a public sharing.

Jay wondered if he was still coming. Yes he had accepted her invitation, but that was too long ago and no word had come since then. We knew that even at the last moment, he might turn around, too fearful of what such a meeting would be like. She had done all she could do. The rest was in God’s hands, just as it had been those fateful years ago.

A cell phone rang out in the huge shrine. Didn’t people know better? Wait, that was Jay’s cell phone. Anxiously she answered and found herself talking tearfully, excitedly, to Gilberto. He really was coming and expected to arrive within five minutes. It was 1:30 and the donor ceremonies were to start at 2:00 promptly. This was working out perfectly, “of course” as Jim would always say. We moved back outside in the bright heat of the afternoon and resumed our vigil of watching as busload after busload arrived - but that couldn’t be him, they all had the Games credentials and Gilberto would not be wearing that. “What color shirt did he have on?” I asked. He hadn’t said. Each non-credentiled visitor was watched intently, some were approached and asked “Are you Gilberto?” None were. Two o’clock came and we had made a second contact - they were lost (ok, another clue, we knew he would not be alone...) and he had a red polo shirt on - that should be easy to spot. With new directions they continued coming as we waited, this time at the very back of the shrine, not at the bridge as before. I sat down in the last row to rest my legs, still sore from that morning’s competition, straining my neck to watch as latecomers continued streaming into the church. Roberto’s presence was right there with us, I could feel it and he was assuring me that all would be fine. We have had many such “heart to heart conversations.” Still, any minute I feared we would be requested to take our seats without having greeted our donor not yet arrived.

But wait, who was that now standing just inside the back church door? There were two men and one had a grey polo shirt, but with a single red stripe across it. Jay stood next to him wihtout realizing they were there, two feet away. But I KNEW! This was Gilberto. No doubt in my heart even though I had never seen him before this minute to recognize that fact. But I knew and rushed across the wide area to walk up and greet him. “Hi. Gilberto? I’m Jim.” And we hugged, quietly, with tears of emotion between two connected by this amazing gift of life process known as organ donation. Family gathered quickly for brief introductions as we moved to the seats reserved up front. Gilberto and his friend, Louis, must have been overwhelmed by the flash introductions to either new names and then we were seated as one family, ten of us now, tears flowing, hands holding. And immediately, about 15 minutes later than scheduled, the donor recognition ceremony finally got under way, timed perfectly for us at least, but as Jim would say yet again, “of course!”

The ceremonies are so beautiful in this peaceful setting of the Shrine and its gardens. I couldn’t imagine a better place to have such a “reunion” nor a better occasion. Gilberto takes it all in and seems to be relieved as the music and songs sooth the donor families gathered there, over 2000 people gathered to remember their loved ones and so many gifts of life often given to strangers. Medals are offered by the celebrities to the line of donors being recognized. I decide to walk up the aisle with Gilberto and see if they will let me present this symbol of love and thanks to him personally. I introduce him to Howard Nathan, our OPO president who of course has no issue with such a request. I offer Gilberto the medal and we hug yet again, sharing that emotional moment as no other is at this same ceremony. How perfect a climax to this surprise event. Cameras flash as my fellow TRANSWEB team capture the moment for us (and you). We return to our seats and family. So many others in the church watch, knowing that something very special has happened after all these years of sharing Roberto’s story. It is good to be there with family and friends, so much love and support over these years since transplant, it is good to be able to share this day with them all. No one walks this road alone and I certainly feel blessed with such support. The roll call is read and Roberto Cuebas’ name resounds in the huge hall. Later we see his photo roll by in the video tribute and emotions run high yet again. Fellow donor family friends’ loved ones flash by and the thought of all these young lives and the gifts of life they represent hit my heart heavy as it fills with both sadness and joy at the same time. I have shared Roberto’s heart with a hug of love with so many of them.

The ceremony is over. We talk. We share the story of the surprise created over these many months of planning. We share long anticipated stories of Roberto as recalled by his brother, simple stories of family and play and brotherhood, of growing up, of school days long past, of young romance. Yes he even has a grown daughter and now a granddaughter but with no real family contact any more. I wonder about his life if he had lived it out instead of now through me. I think of the granddaughters we have and how his gift has made our family today possible. Media is around to capture and share this moment, no longer private, now with Gilberto’s obvious comfort in that sharing and offering his own message of organ donation support along with ours. The scene is an obvious confirmation of the success of the process, hopefully an inspiration for others to make their own decision to sign that donor commitment, now, not when the moment of death is hanging heavy over the family.

We walk the gardens with gathered family, visiting the beautiful tree planted as part of the 2002 Games to memorialize organ donation. Conversation continues to share the stories from both sides. Yes, they had chosen to donate all his organs. No, they had not heard anything or from anyone except for my heart success. Many friends approach and share their own thanks to Gilberto for the impact his decision has had on their lives indirectly through knowing and relating to this very active recipient. I feel very good to see him accept such tributes and thanks. Later over dinner he will repeat what we often hear from other donors that there have been moments of doubt about their decision. Seeing the results of that gift gives confirmation of their decision and hearts come to rest with that knowledge, as it does now for Gilberto. We share in the laughter as he responds to my question of what he felt about this pending meeting, explaining that is was apprehensive about meeting a sickly patient recovering from a heart transplant, fearing that this meeting will make me sick in some way. Face to face there is no such concern as I babble on with excitement and healthy enthusiasm over life and especially this meeting. Life is good for all of us and we celebrate this fact together over a family meal.

Later we are dropped off by Louis and Gil back as our hotel. The hugs are shared again with gratitude for the success of this surprise event an hands wave as they drive off until we meet again. Gilberto takes bags of momentos to share with the rest of his family, especially the framed duplicate of the quilt square we will pin on the NKF quilt tomorrow in his brother’s memory. We return to our room to offer a prayer of thanksgiving for the day, for this life we share, for our evergrowing family.