… the decision that he would retire.  I was the reason."  Target Corporation was only the second company for which the loyal and dedicat-ed Jim Bowser had ever worked. 
"This has been a tremendous amount of stress for him, worrying about me and hauling my tail around to the doctors," said the knowing wife.  "We're going to do some other things together now.  Life is short.  Now we have all sorts of opportunity."
When Jim returned from walking the dog, both he and Ike joined the conversa-tion at the kitchen table.  Ike mostly slobbered and drooled and nuzzled, then presently fell asleep at Jane's feet.
Jim's mind is on the future.  "This has been all consuming," he admitted.  "We haven't been able to think about the future until we worked our way through this.  Now we get to figure out what we want to do.  We can think about tomorrow now.  We haven't been able to commit to volunteerism or a lot of things.  It's like starting out fresh.  It's about starting life over.  It's an unbelievable opportunity."
Jim's philosophy is on the big picture.  "I still believe that people have to step up to the plate ... but when you don't have to step up to the plate and you step up anyway ... like Trudi did ... that's an astounding miraculous thing.  I think God gave us the right to make choices, and to see how it can all work out is just incredible."
Said Jane quietly, "It's hard to accept a gift like this ... and even that sounds arrogant."

In donating a kidney Trudi has literally given part of herself.  She has given life to another, and there is no greater gift.  She gave willingly and with love.  That extreme goodness is part of the Miracle on 73^rd Street.
In accepting the kidney, Jane has literally said yes to life.  She has humbly accepted hope and love from another person.  That extreme goodness is part of the Miracle on 73^rd Street.
In supporting the interchange, in helping and comforting their wives, Jim and Greg have given and received the gifts of love and friendship.  That extreme goodness is part of the Miracle on 73^rd Street.
At Christmas time it is perhaps important to see ourselves more as receivers than givers, for it is the time when we receive and celebrate the Greatest Gift of all, the Son of God come down from heaven to us.  That extreme goodness is part of the Miracle on 73^rd Street.
Merry Christmas and peace to men of good will.