The families of organ donors and their
recipients are rarely identified to each
other. But when Michelle Schmitt's story was
covered in the Omaha media, Brian Friesen's
grandmother thought she knew whose liver it
was that had saved the little girl from
Louisville. She was right. One day her son,
Brian's father, called the Schmitts and
introduced himself. "He didn't want anything
from us," says Barbara Schmitt. "He simply
wanted to make contact."
Since then, the Schmitts have discovered
some remarkable things about Brian. He died
suddenly of a brain aneurysm. Yet he somehow
sensed the nearness of his end. His teacher
noted how frequently he asked questions about
angels and heaven. And during the weeks
immediately after his death, his family found
letters and messages he had left around the
house-in shoes, dressers, cabinets and
kitchen drawers. "I love you all and Jesus
does too," read one. Another read, "mommy, I
love you. Brian."
Most amazing was the crayon drawing his
father discovered in his suitcase six weeks
after the death of his son. Brian had
illustrated a grassy hill with trees, a
child, and a grave bearing a cross. As hard
as his death was to face, his family's sorrow
was lessened by these reassurances of Brian's
love for them and God, and for the part his
death played in granting life to Michelle
Schmitt.
Barbara Schmitt
Louisville, Kentucky
