When my mom first mentioned to my sister and I that she was going to become an organ donor, I was immediately filled with equal parts pride and concern. For those of you lucky enough to have met her before, you’ll know just what I mean when I say she is an incredible person. My mom is intelligent beyond belief, loyal, (a bit) scary when her authority is questioned, but most of all she is thoughtful and compassionate, and so hearing that she had made the decision to go under the knife to help somebody out was not even remotely surprising.
I think to really put this whole thing in perspective for people who don’t know her well, you have to consider how sincerely and relentlessly loyal a person my mom is. We left Africa 16 years ago, and only in the last few years has she been getting back in touch with the people from her past. However, that time and distance hasn’t changed how much these people have – and do – mean to her. She is the kind of person who would do anything for the people she loves, and she does those things truly altruistically.
I’ve thought about becoming an organ donor, myself, especially while I was in school and we would have class discussions about whether donating our bodies to science is something people would consider. I think of all the advancements in medicine that have been made because of people who do donate; consider that their bodies helped to better and save many lives, and am bolstered to the belief that organ donation is infinitely selfless and a truly beautiful thing to do. Of course, there is still a small part of me that does worry about her safety when the time comes. I don’t want to live a life without her, should worst come to worst, but I trust in her decision and stand behind her despite my morbid and worst case scenario thoughts.
My mom has been a mentor, a drill sergeant, a confidante, a bodyguard, and a fiercely motivated inspiration to both my sister and me our whole lives. Erin swears that she is the best mom in the world…I’m not going to argue against that. As I get older and learn what it means to be a good human being in a world that throws so many curve balls, I look to my mom and the example she has set for me, and I strive to be like her. I could not be more proud to be her daughter.
********************************************************************
Those words are a joint contribution from the 2 people I love more than anything in this life – my daughters Lisa (left) and Erin . Thank you for your love and support.