Organ donation has been heavy on my mind lately. I have always been logged as a donor, and that won’t change. What has changed is my perspective of it. Working in the operating room has given me the unique opportunity to see organs up close and personal. I hope I never lose my awe of it.
With organ donation there are only a select few people who get to see the full spectrum, the sad and painful, and the hopeful and joyful. For the rest, they are stuck on one side or the other.
I personally am extremely curious and want to know full stories. I know that if I’m ever in need of an organ, it’s unlikely that I’ll know the story that brings me a second chance...but I can change that for my recipients. Tonight I wrote a separate letter to the people who will receive my heart and my lungs.
It’s an extremely interesting job to take on. Writing a letter to a stranger knowing that you will be dead when they read it! Especially when death seems no where close to happening. What would you tell them if you had the chance?
My letters are and will remain private unless the recipient chooses to share it, but there were a few key points I had in both letters I’ve written so far.
1. This was my gift to you because it was a gift to me
2. Live life fully!
3. Feel no guilt- I place none on you.
And,
4. Use this second chance to determine whether I will meet you in heaven someday.
Each letter turned out so differently. They were both so personal in their own way. I so wish I could see the outcome..whether they even choose to read my letter! (There’s my curious nature again.)
I know this probably seems extremely odd, but it was one of the most powerful things I’ve ever experienced. I acted on the idea immediately because we truly never know what day will be our last. While I hope and pray to have a long life on this earth, I’m so glad to have taken care of this task.
If you were to write a similar letter, what would you want your recipient to know?
