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The South Marysburgh Mirror OF POSSIBILITY THINKING. On August 7th. at 9.00 a.m. a group of 21 people will leave Toronto Airport bound for Edmonton to compete in The Canadian Transplant Games. The events in which they will participate will include track and field as well as swimming, golf, tennis, squash and many others. What makes this so special is that every one of the competi- tors has received The Gift of Life in the form of a major or- gan/s transplant from a stranger. In addition, they have in- vested about $1000 to make the journey. ...but more than that....they have invested time and energy in becoming the very best that they can be so that they are in peak form to compete at their highest level. When twelve year old Colin steps on board the West Jet aircraft on Monday August 7th. his donor heart will be beating a little bit faster than usual as he anticipates the great adventure that is beginning for him. When I spoke with his mother she told me that his goal was to take part in as many events as possible. She said "he wants to be the very best that he can be, hopefully bringing home some medals for Ontario." For eleven year old Angela the story is much the same. Her little body has blossomed thanks to the donor liver she received ten years ago. She also will be competing to the very best of her ability and hoping to win gold in the process. A picture of twenty six year old Susan, a Cystic Fi- brosis victim comes readily to mind. I recall being in To- ronto General Hospital in what is lovingly termed "The Treadmill Room," sharing the exercise bikes and the tread- mills with her and trying not to tangle our oxygen lines that gave us breath and life four years ago. Susan, like me, de- pended on oxygen from a bottle to survive. If you could see Susan now you would find it difficult to believe what I am writing. Susan now runs half marathons and is a personal fitness instructor thanks to a gift she received three years ago. That gift from a complete stranger came in the form of a double lung transplant which both saved, and changed her life. There is Mary the heart transplantee supported by her husband as she claims her place as an athlete in this unique "Team Ontario." The stories go on and on, each one A) attesting to a very personal and unique life- struggle which resulted in victory of the Power of Possibility Thinking over disable- ment and death. For myself sitting in the seat at the rear of South Bay United Church in the year 2001, an oxygen tank beside me, and not enough breath in me to be able to sing, I could never ever have foreseen this day. I had hopes; Yes, I had unfulfilled dreams; Yes, I had my prayers and the prayers of so many good peo- ple behind me, and yet without the gift of another; Without the dedication of so many doctors and specialized nursing staff who believed in me...in US, neither myself or my transplant friends would be making this journey. George Santayana said: "There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval." Twenty one people in my 'Team Ontario' group and an- other three hundred or so from around Canada will travel to Edmonton to 'enjoy the interval," and in the process live an 'impossible' dream. They are the face of unlimited opti- mism and dreams being fulfilled in a very unique way. Iask for your prayers for those who are waiting for the gift which will change their lives forever; those amazing people I'meet in Toronto General Hospital and in other places whose lives are on hold pending a major organ transplant. I also ask for your prayers to accompany us on our journey of personal fulfillment, and also a special prayer for those whose lives we share thanks to their giving us....... The Gift of Life. Pastor Ian. WWwWw.pastorian.com pastor.ian@kos.net p.s. I am sure you will forgive the fact that the real names of the competitors have been changed to protect their pri- vacy. --_--mm Milford Fair - Continued from page 12 course any cats that wander onto the grounds on the day of the Fair of their own volition will be admitted free of charge. EVENING ENTERTAINMENT IN THE SHED Last year we moved the Barbeque Dinner to the shed and it worked very well. We decided that we were on a 'roll' (at least I didn't say 'dinner roll'), so we've de- cided to move the entertainment to the shed as well this year, to follow right after dinner. Look for more details in the next newsletter. Also, look for the full Fair timetable in the next newsletter as well. - Charlie Vincent I