On the days that I struggle with the fact that my Mom is no longer here, I try to remind myself of the gift that she was able to give to others because of organ donation. Even months after her death, the NJ Sharing Network was still able to use her organs and tissue to help others. When they first called me upon her death, and they asked if there was anything special the surgeons could do to honor my mother while they completed the necessary work to obtain her gifts, I was in shock. When I received word almost a year later that some of her gifts were still being used to give life to others, I asked that the surgeon's play "You're So Vain" by Carly Simon and dance a little in her honor.
Some days, I just really miss my Mommy. But I find peace that others are able to enjoy their life to its fullest because we made the choice to donate.