In our journey through life, we often find ourselves grappling with an array of emotions—joy, sorrow, anger, gratitude—each playing a unique role in shaping who we are. Amy Wells, a retired teacher, has dedicated her life to nurturing the minds of her students while also learning to care for herself in the face of her diagnosis. Her journey serves as a powerful example of resilience, love, and the importance of self-reflection. Here is her story!
A Life of Service and Dedication
What would you do if life took away your plans for a well-deserved retirement after years of hard work? Amy Wells, a retired teacher, faced this exact challenge when she was diagnosed with kidney disease. Her dreams of traveling the world and enjoying a peaceful retirement shifted to managing treatments and dialysis three times a week. But instead of focusing on what life took from her, Amy chose to embrace what remained—and discovered that gratitude is the strongest force of all.
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For over 33 years, Amy dedicated herself to shaping young minds and serving her community. She worked tirelessly as a teacher, often in tough conditions, nurturing her students both academically and personally. Her classroom was a place where every child felt seen and supported, and her commitment extended beyond the school walls.
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A Well-Deserved Retirement Takes a Turn
When retirement came, Amy had hoped for a slower, more peaceful life filled with travel and adventure. But her diagnosis of kidney disease changed everything. In need of a transplant, she now has to plan her life around treatments.
How would you respond if faced with such a major life change? Would you be able to focus on gratitude, like Amy, even when life doesn’t go as planned?
Living With Grace Through Adversity
Despite her health challenges, Amy hasn’t let her health challenges define her. She continues to live fully, planning vacations around her treatments and finding joy in every opportunity. Recently, she traveled to Aruba, where she snorkeled with sea turtles and embraced the natural beauty around her. Even in difficult times, Amy has found ways to celebrate life and maintain a heart full of gratitude.
In one of her most touching reflections, she shared the experience at the ocean where her mom’s ashes were scattered. That moment of connection—between her, the sun, the breeze, and the water—offered her a profound sense of healing. It was a peaceful day spent in gratitude, a reminder that even amid challenges, pain, and loss, we can find moments of serenity and connection to those we love and life itself if we are open to it.
The Power of Gratitude and Resilience
Amy’s story powerfully reminds us that life’s greatest challenges can also be our greatest teachers. She shows us that gratitude is not about waiting for perfect days—it’s about embracing the imperfect ones and finding joy where we can.
Her gratitude for the simple things—a sun-drenched moment in her favorite corner, a quiet walk on the trail, or the joy of a well-planned trip—reveals her deep understanding of life’s preciousness.
Through her journey, Amy teaches us that self-care is not selfish; it is essential. Her story is an invitation to reflect on our own lives, to find those moments of peace, and to allow ourselves the grace to heal, grow, and thrive.
Here are some ways you can incorporate gratitude into your own life, inspired by Amy’s journey:
- Keep a Gratitude Journal
Every day, take a moment to write down three things you’re grateful for, no matter how small. It could be a moment of peace, a conversation with a loved one, or simply the sunshine. Writing them down helps you reflect on the good, even in challenging times.
- Find Joy in the Small Things
Just like Amy found great joy in her trip to Aruba despite her health constraints, take time to appreciate the little moments of beauty around you—whether it’s a walk in the park, a favorite meal, or a quiet moment with a loved one.
- Reframe Challenges as Opportunities
Amy’s diagnosis changed her life, but she chose to see it as an opportunity to live more intentionally. When faced with difficulties, ask yourself: What can I learn from this? How can I grow through this experience?
- Practice Acts of Kindness
Gratitude often grows when we give to others. Simple acts of kindness—whether it’s a smile, a kind word, or helping someone in need—can shift your emotional state and remind you of the power of community.
- Reflect at the End of Each Day
Before you go to bed, reflect on your day. Even on the hardest days, take a moment to think about one positive thing that happened, no matter how small. Over time, this practice can shift your perspective toward gratitude.
A Call for Help: How You Can Support Amy
As Amy continues her journey, she needs our help. She’s been searching for a living kidney donor, and here’s a message from her that we can all share to help her in this crucial time:
“Hello, my dear friends…
As you all know, I’ve been searching for a living kidney donor for a while. Nothing has panned out yet with things I did on my own, so I reached out to a kidney organization called Renewal. They help people like me find a living donor. For the past few months, I’ve been working with a couple of the directors and a graphic designer to come up with the flyer you see here.
If you’re comfortable with doing so, all I need you to do is email this flyer out to people you know. They could be friends, family members, people you know from temples or churches you go to, or any other organization you’re part of. It’s all about getting the word out for me.
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Here’s what you can do:
- Let whoever you email know who I am in relation to you.
- Tell them to contact Renewal (not me) as I need to stay anonymous to them.
- Encourage them to share the flyer with their contacts, spreading the word far and wide.
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Finding Hope in the Power of Community
As we reflect on this Thanksgiving, Amy’s journey teaches us resilience, hope, and the strength of community.
What are you most grateful for this holiday season? How can you use your blessings to support someone if you don’t know the person?
Amy reminds us that gratitude isn’t just for the good times—it’s about finding peace and joy in life’s toughest moments.
This Thanksgiving, let’s be thankful for our health, our loved ones, and the opportunities we have to help others. Please consider sharing Amy’s message and helping her find a kidney donor. Together, we can offer not just thanks but hope. – Sending love, Yudy
Blog written By Yudy Veras Bueno – with the consent of Amy Wells.
