Friday, January 22, 2010

Incredible Woman #22 - Sarah Ogden. Friday's Questions

KARA: "Can you tell us about one special friend? Is friendship important to you? What do you look for in a friend?"

SARAH: "I have a few best friends, so I will just tell you about them. First is my friend Karissa. I met her in high school and she is just like another sister to me. Her dad calls us Twittle De and Twittle Dum. When we get together it is a good time. She and I can talk about anything and everything and usually do that a lot. We love going down to Saint George (when I can go), and we have a blast down there.

My friend Sue I met in Dialysis and have enjoyed our friendship. She is only 40 years older than me, but that doesn't stop our friendship. Because of my experience, she decided that she should go on the transplant list, and on July 7th Debbie Dunn donated a Kidney to Sue.

And last but not least is my girl, Heather Krantz. Heather and I met through the transplant Olympic games that were held in Salt Lake, Utah and were my first games. Heather had a heart transplant when she was 9 years old. Over the years of our friendship there have been many highs and many lows that we shared with each other. I wasn't the best friend to Heather when I should have been. She and I always got our ways and have a lot of fun being little shits together. Heather had many challenges in her life but she was strong through it all. Her mom, Susan Krantz, started a camp for transplant kids, and Heather and I built our friendship again. We would stay up late talking about nothing and laughing until it hurt. We also shared many tears together. As I got sick, Heather was there for me, and when I got better Heather became sick. I move to Arizona for a few months, and when it was time for me to come home and she found out that I was driving home home alone. Without another breath Heather said "Mom I am flying down to Arizona, so I can ride back with Sarah" and the next thing I know Heather had a flight the next day. That was the type of person she was, always caring for others. This was a big jump for Heather - she had not been any farther then 10 miles from her mom. When Heather came I knew something was wrong. She had big bruises on her arms and I was scared, even though I never told her. We went out that night and then stayed up late talking about what we had not talked about for that day. That morning Heather helped make fresh squeezed orange juice from the orange trees, and she had a good time doing that. Then after we ate we all had prayer together and in the car we went. We stopped at many places, and we stopped and asked a cop what way we should go. Heather thought that was pretty funny that I would have the guts to do that. On the way we mostly stopped at any place that we could to do some shopping! We got home in one day... wow a long trip. But, if I had the power to do it all over again, I would, because a few months went by and Heather was the one that was in the hospital with cancer of all things. The next thing I know, I was saying my good byes to her and that was the last time I saw her alive. When I went up to see her in the hospital her family had to decide what was the best for her, so before they went to the meeting,Heather said "Mom, can Sarah spend the night?" Her mom said, "Only if she can." Heather said, "Sarah can you spend the night?" I said, "Sure, do you want me to go get a movie?" Heather... "Yeah". Me... "What about one with Matthew McConaughey,like 'Failure to Launch'?" Heather... "OH YEAH!". I regret to say that I didn't get to spend the night. I love my Heather. She is still my best friend and I am so happy that I was there when we got to take her name to the temple so that she can receive those blessings that are eternal.

I think the thing that I look for in a friend is someone that understands what I am going through in my life, and is there when I need them the most."



KARA: "What are your beauty secrets? What do you do to take care of yourself? What makes you happy?"

SARAH: "My beauty secrets... wow that's a personal question! ;)
I don't really have any. I eat what I want. I love wearing make up, and usually put
on loads of lotion before anything. And long baths never hurt anyone.

I am so thankful to Kara for giving me a chance to reflect on the things in my life.
I am all so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this blog...I challenge all of us to really look inside of ourselves, and to really know who we are and what we can become. I know that through the Savior's atonement our lives are spared and our sins forgiven. He loves us and knows who we are. He is mindful of our needs and wants but needs us to be patient and humble and we will receive the blessings that we need at that time - on His time. I love my family and friends that are great examples of strength. One of my favorite scriptures is found in Doctrine & Covenants 121:7-9 (LDS scripture), when Christ was talking to the Prophet Joseph Smith:
Verse 7: "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment:"
Verse 8: "And then if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high."
Verse 9: "Thy friends do stand by thee,and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands."

I love it because in the moment that Joseph thought all hope was gone, our Savior told him to have peace and to have trust in him."

2 comments:

Karen M. Peterson said...

What a beautiful woman. And such a great example of what friendship is all about.

Anonymous said...

This is soooo weird. I knew Heather many years ago, I was one of her nurses. I think about her every once in a while, and was shocked to see this morning, that she had passed away. The had many many layers, but she had a heart of gold.
I would love to talk to you more about Heather, if you have a moment to email me.
Thanks.
Tracie (david_and_tracie@yahoo.com)

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