Death! It’s a scary reality but none the less it’s reality. It’s not a subject anyone likes to talk about. I use to hate talking about death, but I realized one day I will die. It is inevitable.
I’ve seen all the financial burden and hardship death brings.
The sorrow, pain, and heartbreak it brings. Some scream while others laugh. I went numb when I encountered the death of the most important person to me. Death of a loved one brings a ton of emotions and issues. For example, anxiety and panic attacks. It brings on a fear; a fear that grows where fear never lived before.
When a family member is trying to put all the funeral services in order, the mind and heart go into fight or flight—no time to cry, no time to feel, and no time for anything but the situation at hand. I was in high school when my dad passed away. It was the worst time of my life. What I had to endure was absolutely devastating. My life has never been the same since.
When my dad was declared brain dead there was immediate talk of donating of his organs. I had never heard of donating the body parts inside the human body. I was too young to understand. All I knew was that my dad was brain dead and a bunch of doctors were asking about donating his organs.
All I felt was my whole heart sink into my stomach watching my entire world collapse before my eyes. I stood next to my dad as he lay in the hospital bed, all kinds of tubes in his head. I grabbed his hand, looked up and saw my brother on the other side holding our dads' hand quoting scriptures from the Bible. I’ve never heard my brother Joey quote scriptures.
Wow! I didn’t even know my brother knew the Bible. With deep hurt, for a minute I felt comfort from the words coming out of his mouth. Words of healing! The BIBLE being spoken out of my brothers’ mouth with love, pain, and desperation for our dad to live. But in reality, he was already gone.
I felt a deep anger. I remember wanting to punch the wall while I screamed, "WAKE UP dad, wake up! You can’t leave me. You can’t leave me alone out here. You promised you’d never leave me." But I kept it all in. Literally, I kept everything in, even my tears. But my heart broke into pieces.
When it was time to unplug my dad, I about ripped out my heart. Once again the doctors had asked if we had considered donating his organs. The doctor politely said it was really important to give an answer because there is a certain gap of time organs stay alive.
End result. The answer was yes. We donated my dad’s organs even though it was the worst time of my life. I was told my dad saved a lot of lives. I was so hurt it took me awhile to process the dismantling of his body.
A few years later, I thought about the concept of donating the human body to science to save lives.
I started to look into organ donation. When I got my drivers’ license I added myself as an organ donor. I didn’t really know exactly what it was but I wanted to be like my dad.
One day I stared at my driver’s license. I don't know why. Looking at the donor dot, thinking “what am I really going to be donating when I die?” I want all my body to be donated. So my curiosity turned into investigative research.
Donate Life California is a legitimate state non-profit organization in charge of the organ, eyes, and tissue registry for donors.
Donate Life California was created in 2004. Originally, the registry was online. Now you can register at the DMV; it’s easy and quick.
I know talking about death is uncomfortable. I know it is for family members who refuse to let the dead family member go. But stop for a few minutes and think about donating your organs. Craziness! Really reflect on the lives that can be saved. Think of children. It makes giving organs much easier.
I have to admit, at first the thought of doing such a thing was gross. How can I do this? I say with a humble heart, "Donate Life." Don’t feel uncomfortable or weird. You will save a lot of lives.
Check out the website. Gain knowledge and make the right choice to donate.
