Those of you who know him may not believe this, but it is one of my most vivid memories from childhood. I was in around the third or fourth grade, and I was sitting on the couch with my dad. He had done something that day, or heard about something related to being an organ donor. He was explaining to me how it worked, and how if we went to heaven and didn't need our bodies anymore, that someone here on earth could use parts of them if something was wrong with theirs. I wasn't too happy about someone else looking into my daddy's eyes, or playing with his beard (yeah, I thought someone might need a beard), but I trusted him.... then I made the mistake of asking him "If I die, are you going to give my organs to another little girl who needs them?" I wasn't exactly prepared for his answer, which was a YES without hesitation. It was pretty upsetting at first, but the more I thought about it, if it was a good plan for dad, it was a good plan for me, so I agreed. Having recently gotten glasses, I told him that I didn't want any boys or girls to get my eyes because they didn't work right. I thought they might be mad at me for giving them bad eyes. Then my good old pops brings in a little piece of reality, "If they can't see at all, don't you think they'd be happy to have your eyes?" I agreed... and then I learned another lesson. Even though my eyes are horrible (they've gotten much worse since then), I'm SO very thankful that they work, and also thankful for glasses and contacts. As frustrated as I have gotten over the years with my inability to see, I'm so glad I can see what I can, and I'm always thankful for that and all aspects of my health! I don't remember talking to my dad much about organ donation since then, but I'll never forget that conversation.
Since then, I have had the great fortune of meeting a few great people who are organ recippients. One recieved a kidney from a friend that we worked with, and two others have recieved heart transplants. I am so thankful for the medical technology that has allowed these wonderful people to live healthy lives. They have been able to watch their children become adults, finish college, get married, move across the world into a mission field and come back safely, be there for their wives and husbands, and live happy lives that are encouraging to others and me. I want to spread the word and make others aware of this possibility, and opportunity to turn a tragedy into a life changing blessing.
My mom has had a magnet on her refrigerator for years that says, "Don't take your organs to Heaven. Heaven knows we need them here."
So in conclusion, become an organ donor, tell your family about your choice, and spread the word.
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