The Gift of Life

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the entire year.  It seems like people are a little nicer and little more forgiving while they enjoy the giving and receiving that takes place during the Christmas season.  Personally, I would much rather give than receive at this point in my life and doing things for others gives me a great deal more satisfaction than getting a gift for myself.

There are many kinds of gifts that you can give these days that generate food, water, books, schools, medical care, and basic necessities for people all over the world who are needy in one way or another.  You can put money in the Salvation Army kettles, work at a soup kitchen, provide gifts for children in the hospital, or do something special for the elderly or handicapped.  These are meaningful and necessary things that improve the quality of life for others while helping us to appreciate what we have and recognizing the importance of the willingness to share.  

My friend Betsy and I have another idea for a gift that we thing is worthy of your consideration.  It does not cost you a thing and yet the impact that this gift may have on many different people and their families is extraordinary and very far reaching.  

The gift that we would like you to consider is the gift of life.  By becoming a tissue and organ donor you can alter the lives of many people.  Your organs, your tissue, your muscles, and your bones can all be harvested when you die to help those in need.  Organs can be transplanted, your skin can be used to help those people who have suffered in a fire or a chemical accident, eyes can be used to restore sight to those who have lost their vision, and by the miracle of modern medicine you can make the lives of many that much better.  What better gift could you give another human being than this amazing gift of life?  

You can sign up for this at the Motor Vehicle Office and get that little red heart on your license.  There are registries everywhere and by spending just a few minutes on line or calling your own Doctor or hospital you can get all the information that you need to begin the process of becoming an organ/tissue donor.  An easy process but amazingly powerful impact will be the result.  

I know that this is a very personal decision.  With all the decisions that you have made already the choices that you make about how you die might be one of the most important.  Talk to a mortician if you are concerned about the final showing and this may help you to make your decision.  Whatever you do, to do this now takes the pressure off your family when so often time is of crucial importance when you pas and decisions have to be made about what needs to be done.   

Betsy is one of my best friends and it took her a while to come to this decision.  I have known for quite a while that this is what I wanted to do.  We both value life, yet we have both decided that even in death that we can make a long lasting difference.  Paying it forward is important and necessary.  We encourage all of you to consider this amazing gift of life, and if you are undecided, at the very least give it some thought.  If you need help in deciding just let us know and we will be glad to offer support and guidance.

Have an amazing holiday season!