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Special Delivery
By Susan J. Siersma

Amber Lynn loved to read and sing to her younger sister, Crystal, and she also enjoyed watching NASCAR racing with her dad. Because United Parcel Service (UPS) sponsors driver Dale Jarrett, Amber's favorite commercial for the "big brown truck" would frequently appear during the races. Whenever she spotted the brown delivery truck in her neighborhood, Amber Lynn would squeal, "Mommy, Mommy, look - the big brown truck!" and a wide smile would cross her face. For Amber, watching for the delivery truck had become a daily routine. When the precious four-year-old died from complications of Byler's disease (a rare liver ailment), her family and friends were distraught. Her grandmother contacted UPS and related to them Amber's story.

Tim, a UPS employee, responded to the call. On the day of her burial, Tim parked his big brown delivery truck directly in front of the funeral parlor. He quietly walked toward Amber's casket and reverently placed inside it a UPS teddy bear and a model of the big brown truck that Amber Lynn had loved so dearly. Then he said, "These are for Crystal" as he presented to Amber's parents a company pen and stuffed doggie. As he walked back down the aisle, Amber's parents watched tears slowly roll down Tim's face. He drove his big brown delivery truck in the funeral procession to the cemetery. Upon Amber's grave, Tim placed a small box with a rose on top and Crystal was told, "This special box is for you. It is filled with hugs, kisses and love from your big sister Amber."

A few days after the funeral, Sue, another UPS driver, delivered a model big brown truck to Amber's family for Crystal. Sue would accept no payment for this special delivery but instead she simply replied, "I can afford it; this is something I want to do." Now Crystal would have a model big brown truck to play with just like the one her big sister Amber would be playing with in heaven.

Dale Jarrett heard about Amber's story, and he sent a beautiful bereavement message to her family. But he did more than that. Dale pinned Amber's picture to the dashboard of his car, and as he drove laps around the track during a fall NASCAR race, the national audience saw Amber's sweet face flash across the television screen. They listened as the NASCAR announcer told how Amber Lynn's kidneys were donated to two different children. And they learned of another precious child (somewhere in Ohio) who sings and reads with the heart of Amber Lynn beating inside her. Amber Lynn became an organ donor so that others might live; now all would know.

To Amber's family, Dale Jarrett had delivered more than a winning performance. And Tim and Sue had delivered more than packages. They delivered love.

Reprinted by permission of Greta Zwaan (c) 1991 from Chicken Soup for the Sister's Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Aubery, Nancy Autio, Heather McNamara and Katy McNamara. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved.


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Last modified: August 14, 2008