“Mom, I’m serious.”
She said something that changed everything.
Her voice was calm, steadier than mine.
“If there’s a chance someone else gets to go home because of me, I want that. I don’t want another family sitting in a hospital room feeling the way we do.”
I couldn’t answer her.
I just held her hand and let the tears come.
Jonathan didn’t cry.
“I want to donate my organs.”
He nodded slowly and told her he supported whatever she decided.
I struggled with it for days.
Every part of me wanted to believe she would get better and none of this would matter.
But Mary was certain.
Eventually I signed the papers with her, because I couldn’t refuse my daughter’s wish.
He supported whatever she decided.
Three weeks later, she was gone.
***
Before they took her for the donation surgery, the hospital held what they call an honor walk.
