Lone Pine

“In my past profession I was a cardiologist specializing in heart failure and transplantation. In 1986 a young man named Chad developed heart failure and received a heart transplant. He did very well for a decade and a half. The last few years of his life, though, were challenging; he was in and out of the hospital frequently. One evening he was brought to the emergency department in full cardiac arrest. It became clear that Chad could not be revived. I declared him dead. Although disappointed, I thought, ‘Chad’s had good care. He’s had many more years of life than he otherwise would have had.’ Then his parents came in and saw their deceased son on the stretcher. In that moment I saw Chad through his mother’s and father’s eyes. I saw the hopes and expectations they had had for him. I now realize in the church to effectively serve others, we must see them through a parent’s eyes.” – Elder Dale G. Renlund