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Support for NPR podcasts comes from prudential retirement, offering income flex, designed to provide retirement income. It`s a new day for retirement plans, prudential.com/ifx.

I believe in mystery, I believe in family, I believe in being who I am, I believe in the power of failure. And I believe normal life is extraordinary. This I Believe.

For our This I Believe essay today, we hear from Christine Little, a circulation clerk at the Public Library in Bettendorf, Iowa. Bettendorf, like several other towns around the country, chose This I Believe as the one book residents were asked to read last year, everyone was also encouraged to contribute essays. Here`s our series curator / independent producer Jay Alison.

Once she decided to write an essay, Christine Little said her task was both easy and difficult. Easy because she knew what she wanted to say, difficult because it was painful to say it. Here is Christine Little with her essay for This I Believe.

I learnt my belief from my son, I believe in selfless giving. Eight years ago, my 13 year-old son Dustin became very ill, with the heart enlarged to double its size, the medical term is unimportant as that is to a grieving mother, was cardiomyopathy. For several months, Dustin lived on life-support as we were forced to stand by and watch him wither away, while his friends were out playing baseball, flirting with girls and sleeping in their own beds. My son was in a hospital bed, attached to a machine that kept his heart beating. As a mother, my first reaction after crying was anger, and then I play the bargaining game, take my life for his, lord, I`ve lived my life but he still has so much to do. People all around me were praying for a heart to become available, but it made me so angry and confused, because I knew for that to happen, someone else`s child would have to die, how could anyone pray for that? I still remember so clearly the morning we got the call that there was a heart, as we stood in Dustin`s hospital room watching them prep him for surgery, we experienced the two definition of bittersweet. His dead and I, seemingly in unison, realized that at the precise moment that we were standing there with so much hope, and so much love; another family somewhere was saying goodbye. We knelt down together and cried, and we prayed for them, and we thanked them for giving such a selfless gift. To our amazement, just 10 days later, Dustin got to come home for the first time in many months, he had turned 14 in the hospital at a such young age, he had received a second chance of life. Over the next two years, he got to go to the high school, learn to drive, and have his first girl friend, he got to spend time with his family and be in the great outdoors which was where he truly love to be. He put his brand-new heart to good use, volunteering at the homeless shelter, and helping the elderly, he also became a very devoted Christian young man.

Dustin`s new heart failed him when he was 16, a tragedy, yes, but we have to see it as the miracle it was, we`ve received two precious years with him, that we would never have had without organ donation. We have more pictures, more memories, and a great satisfaction and knowing that he was able to experience some of the most exciting times and milestones in a teenager’s life. When he died, as difficult as it was for us, we knew that it would be Dustin`s wish to give back, his eyes went to someone who wanted to see, someone who`ve perhaps has never seen the faces of the family they love so dearly. I believe that one day, I will look into the face of someone else`s son, or daughter, and I will see those sky blue eyes, looking back at me, the evidence of selfless giving.

Christine Little, with her essay for This I Believe, Little said that even know it`s hard for her to talk about this subject, it will be worth it if after hearing her, a single person chooses to become an organ donor.

We hope you`ll consider sending us your essay about personal conviction, visit npr.org to find out more. For This I Believe, I`m Jay Alison.

Jay Alison is coeditor with Dan Gedman, John Gregory and Vick Maric of the book ‘This I Believe’, the personal philosophies of remarkable men and women.

这篇文章很感人！
Support for NPR podcasts comes from prudential retirement, offering income flex, designed to provide retirement income. It’s a new day for retirement plans, prudential.com/ifx.

I believe in mystery, I believe in family, I believe in being who I am, I believe in the power of failure. And I believe normal life is extraordinary. This I Believe.

For our This I Believe essay today, we hear from Christine Little, a circulation clerk at the Public Library in Bettendorf, Iowa. Bettendorf, like several other towns around the country, chose This I Believe as the one book residents were asked to read last year, everyone was also encouraged to contribute essays. Here’s our series curator independent producer Jay Alison.

Once she decided to write an essay, Christine Little said her task was both easy and difficult. Easy because she knew what she wanted to say, difficult because it was painful to say it. Here is Christine Little with her essay for This I Believe.

I learnt my belief from my son, I believe in selfless giving. Eight years ago, my 13 year-old son Dustin became very ill, with the heart enlarged to double its size, the medical term is unimportant as that is to a grieving mother, was cardiomyopathy. For several months, Dustin lived on life-support as we were forced to stand by and watch him wither away, while his friends were out playing baseball, flirting with girls and sleeping in their own beds. My son was in a hospital bed, attached to a machine that kept his heart beating. As a mother, my first reaction after crying was anger, and then I play the bargaining game, take my life for his, lord, I’ve lived my life but he still has so much to do. People all around me were praying for a heart to become available, but it made me so angry and confused, because I knew for that to happen, someone else’s child would have to die, how could anyone pray for that? I still remember so clearly the morning we got the call that there was a heart, as we stood in Dustin’s hospital room watching them prep him for surgery, we experienced the two definition of bittersweet. His Dad and I, seemingly in unison, realized that at the precise moment that we were standing there with so much hope, and so much love; another family somewhere was saying goodbye. We knelt down together and cried, and we prayed for them, and we thanked them for giving such a selfless gift. To our amazement, just 10 days later, Dustin got to come home for the first time in many months, he had turned 14 in the hospital and at such a young age, he had received a second chance of life. Over the next two years, he got to go to /the/ high school, learn to drive, and have his first girl friend, he got to spend time with his family and be in the great outdoors which was where he truly love to be. He put his brand-new heart to good use, volunteering at the homeless shelter, and helping the elderly, he also became a very devoted Christian young man.

Dustin’s new heart failed him when he was 16, a tragedy, yes, but we have to see it as the miracle it was, we’ve received two precious years with him, that we would never have had without organ donation. We have more pictures, more memories, and a great satisfaction and knowing that he was able to experience some of the most exciting times and milestones in a teenager’s life. When he died, as difficult as it was for us, we knew that it would be Dustin’s wish to give back, his eyes went to someone who wanted to see, someone who’ve perhaps has never seen the faces of the family they love so dearly. I believe that one day, I will look into the face of someone else’s son, or daughter, and I will see those sky blue eyes, looking back at me, the evidence of selfless giving.

Christine Little, with her essay for This I Believe, Little said that even know it’s hard for her to talk about this subject, it will be worth it if after hearing her, a single person chooses to become an organ donor.

We hope you’ll consider sending us your essay about personal conviction, visit npr.org to find out more. For This I Believe, I’m Jay Alison.

Jay Alison is coeditor with Dan Gedman, John Gregory and Vick Maric of the book ‘This I Believe’, the personal philosophies of remarkable men and women.

Support for NPR podcasts comes from prudential retirement, offering IncomeFlex, designed to provide retirement income. It’s a new day for retirement plans, prudential.com/ifx.

I believe in mystery, I believe in family, I believe in being who I am, I believe in the power of failure. And I believe normal life is extraordinary. This I Believe.

For our This I Believe essay today, we hear from Christine Little, a circulation clerk at the Public Library in Bettendorf, Iowa. Bettendorf, like several other towns around the country, chose This I Believe as the one book residents were asked to read last year, everyone was also encouraged to contribute essays. Here’s our series curator and independent producer Jay Alison.

Once she decided to write an essay, Christine Little said her task was both easy and difficult. Easy because she knew what she wanted to say, difficult because it was painful to say it. Here is Christine Little with her essay for This I Believe.

I learnt my belief from my son, I believe in selfless giving. Eight years ago, my 13 year-old son Dustin became very ill, with the heart enlarged to double its size, the medical term is unimportant as that is to a grieving mother, was cardiomyopathy. For several months, Dustin lived on life-support as we were forced to stand by and watch him wither away, while his friends were out playing baseball, flirting with girls and sleeping in their own beds. My son was in a hospital bed, attached to a machine that kept his heart beating. As a mother, my first reaction after crying was anger, and then I play the bargaining game, take my life for his, lord, I’ve lived my life but he still has so much to do. People all around me were praying for a heart to become available, but it made me so angry and confused, because I knew for that to happen, someone else’s child would have to die, how could anyone pray for that? I still remember so clearly the morning we got the call that there was a heart, as we stood in Dustin’s hospital room watching them prep him for surgery, we experienced the two definition of bittersweet. His dad and I, seemingly in unison, realized that at the precise moment that we were standing there with so much hope, and so much love; another family somewhere was saying goodbye. We knelt down together and cried, and we prayed for them, and we thanked them for giving such a selfless gift. To our amazement, just 10 days later, Dustin got to come home for the first time in many months, he had turned 14 in the hospital and at such a young age, he had received a second chance of life. Over the next two years, he got to go to  high school, learn to drive, and have his first girl friend, he got to spend time with this family and be in the great outdoors which was where he truly love to be. He put his brand-new heart to good use, volunteering at the homeless shelter, and helping the elderly, he also became a very devoted Christian young man.

Dustin’s new heart failed him when he was 16, a tragedy, yes, but we have to see it as the miracle it was, we’ve received two precious years with him, that we would never have had without organ donation. We have more pictures, more memories, and a great satisfaction and knowing that he was able to experience some of the most exciting times and milestones in a teenager’s life. When he died, as difficult as it was for us, we knew that it would be Dustin’s wish to give back, his eyes went to someone who wanted to see, someone who’ve perhaps has never seen the faces of the family they love so dearly. I believe that one day, I will look into the face of someone else’s son, or daughter, and I will see those sky blue eyes, looking back at me, the evidence of selfless giving.

Christine Little, with her essay for This I Believe, Little said that even know it’s hard for her to talk about this subject, it will be worth it if after hearing her, a single person chooses to become an organ donor.

We hope you’ll consider sending us your essay about personal conviction, visit npr.org to find out more. For This I Believe, I’m Jay Alison.

Jay Alison is coeditor with Dan Gedman, John Gregory and Vick Maric of the book ‘This I Believe’, the personal philosophies of remarkable men and women.

on sherrycream

Support for NPR podcasts comes from prudential retirement, offering IncomeFlex, designed to provide retirement income. It's a new day for retirement plans, prudential. com ifx.

I believe in mystery, I believe in family, I believe in being who I am, I believe in the power of failure. And I believe normal life is extraordinary. This I Believe.

For our This I Believe essay today, we hear from Christine Little, a circulation clerk at the Public Library in Bettendorf, Iowa. Bettendorf, like several other towns around the country, chose This I Believe as the one book residents were asked to read last year, everyone was also encouraged to contribute essays. Here is our series curator and independent producer Jay Alison. When she decided to write an essay, Christine Little said her task was both easy and difficult. Easy because she knew what she wanted to say, difficult because it was painful to say it. Here is Christine Little with her essay for This I Believe.

I learnt my belief from my son, I believe in selfless giving. Eight years ago, my 13-year-old son Dustin became very ill, with the heart enlarged to double its size, the medical term, as unimportant as that is to a grieving mother, was cardiomyopathy. For several months, Dustin lived on life-support as we were forced to stand by and watch him wither away, while his friends were out playing baseball, flirting with girls and sleeping in their own beds. My son was in a hospital bed, attached to a machine that kept his heart beating. As a mother, my first reaction after crying was anger, and then I play the bargaining game, take my life for his, lord, I've lived my life but he still has so much to do. People all around me were praying for a heart to become available, but it made me so angry and confused, because I knew for that to happen, someone else's child would have to die, how could anyone pray for that? I still remember so clearly the morning we got the call that there was a heart, as we stood in Dustin's hospital room watching them prep him for surgery, we experienced the two definition of bittersweet. His dad and I, seemingly in unison, realized that at the precise moment that we were standing there with so much hope, and so much love; another family somewhere was saying goodbye. We knelt down together and cried, and we prayed for them, and we thanked them for giving such a selfless gift. To our amazement, just 10 days later, Dustin got to come home for the first time in many months, he had turned 14 in the hospital and at such a young age, he had received a second chance of life. Over the next two years, he got to go to high school, learn to drive, and have his first girl friend, he got to spend time with his family and be in the great outdoors which was where he truly loved to be. He put his brand-new heart to good use, volunteering at the homeless shelter, and helping the elderly, he also became a very devoted Christian young man.
Dustin's new heart failed him when he was 16, a tragedy, yes, but we have to see it as the miracle it was, we / received two precious years with him, that we would never have had without organ donation. We have more pictures, more memories, and a great satisfaction and knowing that he was able to experience some of the most exciting times and milestones in a teenager's life. When he died, as difficult as it was for us, we knew that it would be Dustin's wish to give back, his eyes went to someone who wanted to see, someone who perhaps had never seen the faces of the family they love so dearly. I believe that one day, I will look into the face of someone else's son, or daughter, and I will see those sky blue eyes, looking back at me, the evidence of selfless giving.

Christine Little, with her essay for This I Believe, Little said that even know it's hard for her to talk about this subject, it will be worth it if after hearing her, a single person chooses to become an organ donor.

We hope you'll consider sending us your essay about personal conviction, visit npr. org to find out more. For This I Believe, I am Jay Alison.

Jay Alison is coeditor with Dan Gedman, John Gregory and Vick Maric of the book This I Believe, the personal philosophies of remarkable men and women.
You are listening to weekend edition from NPR News.

Support for NPR podcasts comes from prudential retirement. offering IncomeFlex designed to provide retirement income. It's a new day for retirement plans, prudential.com/ifx.

I believe in mystery. I believe in family. I believe in being who I am. I believe in the power of failure. And I believe normal life is extraordinary. This I Believe.

For our This I Believe essay today, we hear from Christine Little, a circulation clerk at the Public Library in Bettendorf, Iowa. Bettendorf, likes several other towns around the country, chose This I Believe as the one book residents were asked to read last year. Everyone was also encouraged to contribute essays. Here is our series curator, independent producer Jay Alison.

When she decided to write an essay, Christine Little said her task was both easy and difficult. Easy because she knew what she wanted to say, difficult because it was painful to say it. Here is Christine Little with her essay for This I Believe.

I learnt my belief from my son. I believe in selfless giving. Eight years ago, my 13-year-old son Dustin became very ill, with the heart enlarged to double its size. The medical term, as unimportant as that is to a grieving mother, was cardiomyopathy. For several months, Dustin lived on life-support as we were forced to stand by and watch him wither away. While his friends were out playing baseball, flirting with girls and sleeping in their own beds, my son was in a hospital bed, attached to a machine that kept his heart beating. As a mother, my first reaction after crying was anger. And then I play the bargaining game, take my life for his, lord, I've lived my life but he still has so much to do. People all around me were praying for a heart to become available, but it made me so angry and confused. Because I knew for that to happen, someone else's child would have to die. How could anyone pray for that? I still remember so clearly the morning we got the call that there was a heart. As we stood in Dustin's hospital room, watching them prep him for surgery, we experienced the true definition of bittersweet. His dad and I, seemingly in unison, realized that at the precise moment that we were standing there with so much hope and so much love, another family somewhere was saying goodbye. We knelt down together and cried. And we prayed for them, and we thanked them for giving such a selfless gift. To our amazement, just ten days later, Dustin got to come home for the first time in many months. He had turned 14 in the hospital, and at a such young age, he had received a second chance at life. Over the next two years, he got to go to high school, learn to drive, and have his first girlfriend. He got to spend time with his family and be in the great outdoors, which was where he truly loved to be. He put his brand-new heart to good use, volunteering at the homeless shelter, and helping the elderly. He also became a very devout Christian young man.

Dustin's new heart failed him when he was 16. A tragedy, yes, but we have to see it as the miracle it was. We received two precious years with him that we would never have had without organ donation. We have more pictures, more memories, and a great satisfaction in knowing that he was able to experience some of the most exciting times and milestones in a teenager's life. When he died, as difficult as it was for us, we knew that it would be Dustin's wish to give back. His eyes went to someone who wanted to see, someone who perhaps had never seen the faces of the family they love so dearly. I believe that one day, I will look into the face of someone else's son or daughter and I will see those sky-blue eyes, looking back at me. The evidence of selfless giving.

Christine Little, with her essay for This I Believe. Little said that even know it's hard for her to talk about this subject, it will be worth it if, after hearing her, a single person chooses to become an organ donor.

We hope you'll consider sending us your essay about personal conviction. Visit npr.org to find out more. For This I Believe, I'm Jay Alison.

Jay Alison is coeditor with Dan Gedman, John Gregory and Vick Maric of the book "This I Believe". The personal philosophies of remarkable men and women.

Support for NPR Podscasts comes from prudential retirement, offering income flex, designed to provide retirement income. It's a new day for retirement plans, prudential.com, so.

I believe in mystery, I believe in family, I believe in being who I am, I believe in the power of failure, and I believe normal life is extraordinary. This I belive.

For our this I believe today, we hear from Christine Little. A circulation(流通) clerk at the public library in Bettendorf Iowa. Bettenforf, like several other towns around the country, chose this I believe as the one book residents were asked to read last year. Everyone was also encouraged to contribute essays. Here's our series curator independent producer Jay Aleson.

Once she decided to write an essay, Christine Lettle said her task was both easy and difficult. Esay because she knew what she wanted to say, difficult because it was painful to say it. Here's Christine Little with her essay for this I believe.

I learned my believe from my son. I believe in selfless giving. Eight years ago my 13 years old son Dustin became very ill with heart enlarged to double its size. The medical term was unimportant as that is to a grieving mother with cardiomyopathy(心肌症). For several months Dustin lived on life-support as we were forced to stand by and watch him whiter(苍白的) away，while his friends were out playing baseball, flirting(调情) with girls and sleeping in their own beds. My son was in a hospital bed, attached to a machine that kept his heart beating.

As a mother, my first reaction after crying with anger, and then I played a bargaining game. Take my life for his, lord, I've lived my life, but he still has so much to do. People all around me praying for a heart to become available. That made me so angry and confused bacause I knew for that to happen, someone else's child would have to die, how could anyone pray for that? I still remember so clearly the morning we got the call there was a heart. As we stood in Dustin's hospital room watching them prep(准备功课) him for surgery, we experienced the two definition of bittersweet(又苦又甜的). His Dad and I, seemingly in unison(一致的，和谐的), realized that at the precise moment that we were standing there with so much hope and so much love. Another family somewhere was saying goodbye. We knelt（跪下） down together and cried and reprayed for them. And we thanked them for giving such a solfless gift.

To our amazement, just ten days later Dustin got to come home for the first time in many months. He had turned fourteen in the hospital and at such young age he had received a second chance of life. Over the next two years he got to go to the high school, learn to drive and he have his first girl friend. He got to spend time with his family and be in the great outdoors which was where he truely love to be. He put his brand-new(崭新的) heart to good use, volunteering at the homeless shelter and helping the elderly. He also became a very devoted Christine young man.

Dustin's new heret failed him when he was sixteen. A tragedy, yes, but we have to see it as the miracle it was. We've received two precious(珍贵的，宝贵的，珍爱的) years with him that we never have had without organ donation. When have more pictures, more memories and great satisfaction and knowing he was able to experience, some of the most exciting times and milestone(里程碑，转折点) in his teenager's life. When he died, as the difficult as it was for us, we knew that it would be Dustin's wish to give back. His eyes went to someone wanted to see. Someone who've perhaps never seen the faces of the family they love so dearly. I believe one day I will look into the face someone else' son or daughter, and I was see those sky blue eyes looking back at me. The evidence of selfless giving.

Christine Little with her essay for this I believe. Little said that even though it's hard for her to talk about the subject, it would be worth it if after hearing her, a single person chooses to become a organ donor. We hope you can sent your essay about personal conviction with NPR.org to find out more. For this I believe, I'm Jay Aleson.

support for NPR podcast comes from prudential retirement, offering income flax, designed to provide retirement income. it's a new day for retirement plans, prudential.com/ifx.
for our this i believe essay today, we hear from Christine little, a circulation clerk at the public Library in Bettendorf, Iowa. Bettendorf, likes several other towns around the country, chose this i believe as the one book residents were asked to read last year. Everyone was also encouraged to contribute essays. here is our series curator, Independent producer Jay Alison.
when she decided to write an essay, Christine Little said her task were both easy and difficult. easy because she knew that she wanted to say, difficult because it was painful to say it. here is Christine Little with her essay for this i believe.
I learnt my believe from my son. i believe selfless giving. eight years ago, my 13 year old son Dusin became very ill, with the heart enlarged to double its size. the medical term,as unimportant as that is to a grieving mother, was cardiomyopathy. for several months, dustin lived on life support as we were forced to stand by and watch him wither away. while his friends were out playing baseball, flirting with girls and sleeping in their own beds, my son was in a hospital bed attached to a machine that kept his heart beating. as a mother, my first reaction after crying was anger. and then i played the bargaining game, take my life for his, lord, i've lived my life but he still has so much to do. people all around me were praying for a heart to become available, but it made me so angry and confused. because i knew for that to happen, someone else's child would have to die. how could anyone pray for that.
i still remember so clearly the morning we got the call that there was a heart. As we stood in Dustin's hospital room, watching them prep his for surgery, we experienced the true defination of bittersweet. his dad and i , seemingly in unison , realized that at the percise moment that we were standing  there with so much hope and so much love, another family somewhere was saying goodbye. we knelt down together and cried. and we prayed for them. and we thanked them for giving such a selfless gift. to our amazement, just ten days later, dustin got to come hospital, and at a such young age, he had received a second chance of life. over the next two years, he got go to high school, learn to drive, have his first girlfriend. he got to spend time with his family and be in the great outdoors, which was where he truly loved to be. he put to his brand new hear to good use, volunteering at the homeless shelter, and helping the elderly. he also became a very devout young man.
Dustin's new heart failed him when he was 16. a tragedy, yes, but we have to see it asthe miracle it was. we recevied two precious years with him that we would never have had without organ donation. we have more pictures,more memories, and a great satisfaction in knowing that he was able to experience some of the most exciting times and milestones in a teenager's life. when he died, as difficult as it was for us. we knew that it would be Dustin's wish to give back. his eyes went to someone tho wanted to see. someone who perahps had never seen the faces of the family they love so dearly. i believe one day, i will look into the face of someone else's son or daughter and i will see those sky-blue eyes, looking back at me. the evidence of selfless giving .
Christine Little, with her essay for this i believe. little said that even know it's hard for her for her to talk about this subject. it will be worth it if after hearing her, a single person choses to become a organ donor.
we hope  you'll consider sending us your essay about personal conviction. visit Npr.org to find out more. for this i believe, i'm Jay Alison.
Jay Alison is coeditor with Dan Gedman, John Gergory and Vick Maric of the book " this i believe". the personal philosophies of remarkable men and women.
you're listening to weekend edition from NPR news.

on mickey_lee

Support for NPR podcasts comes from prudential retirement. Offering IncomeFlex designed to provide retirement income,it's a new day for retirement plans, prudential.com/ifx.
I believe in mystery. I believe in family. I believe in being who I am. I believe in the power of failure. And I believe normal life is extraordinary. This I Believe.
For our This I Believe essay today, we hear from Christine Little, a circulation clerk at the Public Library in Bettendorf, Iowa. Bettendorf, likes several other towns around the country, chose This I Believe as the one book residents were asked to read last year. Everyone was also encouraged to contribute essays. Here is our series curator, independent producer Jay Alison.
When she decided to write an essay, Christine Little said her task was both easy and difficult. Easy because she knew what she wanted to say, difficult because it was painful to say it. Here is Christine Little with her essay for This I Believe.
I learnt my belief from my son. I believe in selfless giving. Eight years ago, my 13-year-old son Dustin became very ill, with the heart enlarged to double its size. The medical term, as unimportant as that is to a grieving mother, was cardiomyopathy. For several months, Dustin lived on life-support as we were forced to stand by and watch him wither away. While his friends were out playing baseball, flirting with girls and sleeping in their own beds, my son was in a hospital bed, attached to a machine that kept his heart beating. As a mother, my first reaction after crying was anger. And then I play the bargaining game, take my life for his, lord, I've lived my life but he still has so much to do. People all around me were praying for a heart to become available, but it made me so angry and confused. Because I knew for that to happen, someone else's child would have to die. How could anyone pray for that? I still remember so clearly the morning we got the call that there was a heart. As we stood in Dustin's hospital room, watching them prep him for surgery, we experienced the true definition of bittersweet. His dad and I, seemingly in unison, realized that at the precise moment that we were standing there with so much hope and so much love, another family somewhere was saying goodbye. We knelt down together and cried. And we prayed for them, and we thanked them for giving such a selfless gift. To our amazement, just ten days later, Dustin got to come home for the first time in many months. He had turned 14 in the hospital, and at a such young age, he had received a second chance of life. Over the next two years, he got to go to high school, learn to drive, and have his first girlfriend. He got to spend time with his family and be in the great outdoors, which was where he truly loved to be. He put his brand-new heart to good use, volunteering at the homeless shelter, and helping the elderly. He also became a very devoted Christian young man.
Dustin's new heart failed him when he was 16. A tragedy, yes, but we have to see it as the miracle it was. We received two precious years with him that we would never have had without organ donation. We have more pictures, more memories, and a great satisfaction in knowing that he was able to experience some of the most exciting times and milestones in a teenager's life. When he died, as difficult as it was for us, we knew that it would be Dustin's wish to give back. His eyes went to someone who wanted to see, someone who perhaps had never seen the faces of the family they love so dearly. I believe that one day, I will look into the face of someone else's son or daughter and I will see those sky-blue eyes looking back at me, the evidence of selfless giving.
Christine Little, with her essay for This I Believe. Little said that even know it's hard for her to talk about this subject, it will be worth it if, after hearing her, a single person chooses to become an organ donor.
We hope you'll consider sending us your essay about personal conviction. Visit npr.org to find out more. For This I Believe, I'm Jay Alison.
Jay Alison is coeditor with Dan Gedman, John Gregory and Vick Maric of the book "This I Believe". The personal philosophies of remarkable men and women.

You're listening to Weekend Edition from NPR News.

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I believe in mystery. I believe in family. I believe in being who I am. I believe in the power of failure. And I believe normal life is extraordinary. This I Believe.

For our This I Believe essay today, we hear from Christine Little, a circulation clerk at the Public Library in Bettendorf, Iowa. Bettendorf, likes several other towns around the country, chose This I Believe as the one book residents were asked to read last year. Everyone was also encouraged to contribute essays. Here is our series curator, independent producer Jay Alison.

When she decided to write an essay, Christine Little said her task was both easy and difficult. Easy because she knew what she wanted to say, difficult because it was painful to say it. Here is Christine Little with her essay for This I Believe.

I learnt my belief from my son. I believe in selfless giving. Eight years ago, my 13-year-old son Dustin became very ill, with the heart enlarged to double its size. The medical term, as unimportant as that is to a grieving mother, was cardiomyopathy. For several months, Dustin lived on life-support as we were forced to stand by and watch him wither away. While his friends were out playing baseball, flirting with girls and sleeping in their own beds, my son was in a hospital bed, attached to a machine that kept his heart beating. As a mother, my first reaction after crying was anger. And then I play the bargaining game, take my life for his lord, I've lived my life but he still has so much to do. People all around me were praying for a heart to become available, but it made me so angry and confused. Because I knew for that to happen, someone else's child would have to die. How could anyone pray for that? I still remember so clearly the morning we got the call that there was a heart. As we stood in Dustin's hospital room, watching them prep him for surgery, we experienced the true definition of bittersweet. His dad and I, seemingly in unison, realized that at the precise moment that we were standing there with so much hope and so much love, another family somewhere were saying goodbye. We knelt down together and cried. And we prayed for them, and we thanked them for giving such a selfless gift. To our amazement, just ten days later, Dustin got to come home for the first time in many months. He had turned 14 in the hospital, and at a such young age, he had received a second chance of life. Over the next two years, he got to go to high school, learn to drive, and have his first girlfriend. He got to spend time with his family and be in the great outdoors, which was where he truly loved to be. He put his brand-new heart to good use, volunteering at the homeless shelter, and helping the elderly. He also became a very devoted Christian young man.

Dustin's new heart failed him when he was 16. A tragedy, yes, but we have to see it as the miracle it was. We received two precious years with him that we would never have had without organ donation. We have more pictures, more memories, and a great satisfaction in knowing that he was able to experience some of the most exciting times and milestones in a teenager's life. When he died, as difficult as it was for us, we knew that it would be Dustin's wish to give back. His eyes went to someone who wanted to see, someone who perhaps had never seen the faces of the family they love so dearly. I believe that one day, I will look into the face of someone else's son or daughter and I will see those sky-blue eyes looking back at me, the evidence of selfless giving.

Christine Little, with her essay for This I Believe. Little said that even know it's hard for her to talk about this subject, it will be worth it if, after hearing her, a single person chooses to become an organ donor.

We hope you'll consider sending us your essay about personal conviction. Visit npr.org to find out more. For This I Believe, I'm Jay Alison.

Jay Alison is coeditor with Dan Gedman, John Gregory and Vick Maric of the book "This I Believe". The personal philosophies of remarkable men and women.

You're listening to Weekend Edition from NPR News.