I
have always supported the idea of organ donation.
I’m registered.
It’s on my
driver’s license.
I have a green “DONATE LIFE” wristband and a pin somewhere.
The thought that one day, when I’m oh so geriatric and have squeezed out every
ounce of life I could possibly manage, one of my organs could potentially give
someone a second chance at life is pretty miraculous and humbling. Sign me up.
The
whole organ donation thing hit close to home and became even more of a
phenomenon when I learned that my niece, Nicole, was to become a LIVING donor. LIVING.
She is donating a kidney to her father on September 16th.
Gamut
of emotions. Pride. Fear. Hope.
I
became Nicole’s aunt when I was a senior in high school. I went on to Cleveland
State after graduation. Often I dragged a toddler Nicole along with me. Willingly
or not, she went to the book store with me. She went to the library with me.
She looked adorable sporting the miniature Vikings sweatshirt I bought her with
her famous teeny tiny high and tight pigtails. She was right there with me when
I studied. And I do mean RIGHT. THERE. WITH. ME. Like, literally, hanging onto
my leg. I wanted to be aggravated, but then she’d start humming or singing or
acting cute and I just couldn’t. Damn her.
I’m
quite proud or embarrassed to say, not sure which, perhaps both, that I
probably inadvertently taught the girl her very first swear word.
She
was my little side kick.
I
gave myself all kinds of kudos and accolades back in the day that I was a good
aunt.
Even
given all of that, Nicole was eating some ice cream once. I mean digging into
it and loving it. I said, “Boy Nicole that looks really good, can I have a
bite?” Without missing a beat or even so much as lifting her head from that
bowl, she stated clearly and without hesitation, “GET. YOUR. OWN.”
She
has come a long way from those youthful bouts of stinginess. She HAS learned to share. She has. Soooo
much so… that she is now going to share her spare. She is going to donate a
kidney. Whoa. That’s a way bigger deal than just letting me have a spoonful of
a dairy treat.
With
all that said and still pretty high up there, for me anyways, I truly believe
with all my heart, that if I asked her nicely today, she would give me some of
her ice cream.
Sharing
is caring! You are a hero Nicole. We love you!
Please
consider being an organ and tissue donor and giving the gift of hope.
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