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    Home » family

    By Amanda Smyth 27 Comments

    a letter to my babies about organ donation

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    My husband and I have discussed my wishes about organ donation, but my girls are too little to understand just yet.  I've recently experienced bereavement myself.  I know that it's difficult to breathe much less make clear decisions, so I've written my girls a letter.  If one day in the future they're faced with the choice to donate my organs, they'll know my wishes and hopefully the burden of the decision will be lifted from their shoulders.

    My beautiful darlings,

    Should there ever be a time when I must leave you, please believe that I will spend the rest of eternity watching over you both, but I won't need my eyes to do so.  Please give them to someone who needs them.  Let someone else see their babies' first steps and watch their graduations.  Let my eyes mist over at the sight of their daughter on her wedding day; at the first glimpse of their grandchild.

    Darlings, I hope against all hopes that you're never in this position, but if one day you are, please know these are my wishes.  Make this decision with clear heads and clear consciences.  This is what I want.

    Give it all away, and know that I will be both proud of you and grateful that you've honoured my request.

    I love you.  I love you.  I love you.

    I'll be watching over you always.

    Love Mum xx

    February 24 to March 3 is Donate Life week.  You can discover more from the Donate Life webpage and by becoming a fan of the Donate Life facebook page.

    Having this blog gives me the luxury of writing a hypothetical letter to my girls for a day in the future that I hope never comes -  motherhood makes you do funny things.  If you're a friend of mine, will please remember I've written this letter and point the girls in this direction should the time ever come?

    This week we're encouraged to discover, decide and discuss organ and tissue donation.

    Please join us and make your wish count.

    In April, FilmLife Project turned my words into this beautiful poster.  Film Life poster Cooker and a Looker Organ Donation Poster

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Modern Nomads With Kids says

      February 26, 2013 at 1:43 pm

      What a great idea Amanda! Our family has been personally touched by organ donations, & it's something that is openly discussed at home. I hope the day never comes but I too would find comfort in knowing someone else has benefited from our loss.
      Prue xx

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        February 26, 2013 at 2:00 pm

        Thanks Prue. It's such an important message. x

        Reply
    2. Sharon Clews says

      February 26, 2013 at 2:04 pm

      What a lovely way to deal with a difficult subject. Well done Amanda you are an inspiration.
      Sharon x

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        February 26, 2013 at 2:38 pm

        I think inspiration is a ridiculous overstatement, but I appreciate the comment. Thanks Sharon. x

        Reply
    3. Marita heath says

      February 26, 2013 at 2:10 pm

      Way to make me cry at work! We have all just recently had the conversation and I know my family and my girls would make me proud if anything should happen to me buy giving the gift of life to others.

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        February 26, 2013 at 2:37 pm

        I shed a few tears writing it too Marita. x

        Reply
    4. Lydia c lee says

      February 26, 2013 at 3:34 pm

      Lovely post! Good to write it down - at a difficult time, it's one less thing to think about.

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        February 26, 2013 at 4:52 pm

        Thanks Lydia

        Reply
    5. SarahMac says

      February 26, 2013 at 10:26 pm

      I've thought about writing stuff on the blog for the children to read if I die. I think I will. I share your wishes about organ donations. I had a friend who died suddenly when we were 16, and she donated her organs. What a gift.

      Reply
    6. Anne @ Domesblissity says

      February 27, 2013 at 12:51 pm

      Okay Amanda. That's it. I've lost it. Did you ever see the Will Smith movie "8 Pounds"? Oh my. A wonderful message. Thank you.

      Anne xx

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        February 27, 2013 at 3:26 pm

        I haven't Anne, should I? It is an important message, and I'm really pleased to see it getting the attention it deserves this week. 🙂

        Reply
    7. Monique (@YrCheekyMonkey) says

      February 28, 2013 at 7:54 pm

      I come from a family that believes if you are dead you don't need it. So I have always been down as an organ donor, its something I believe in 100% 🙂

      Reply
    8. Trish MLDB says

      February 28, 2013 at 8:04 pm

      It is so true we make our wishes known , we don't need our organs when we die.

      Reply
    9. Jodi says

      February 28, 2013 at 8:19 pm

      Just beautiful! 🙂 x

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        March 01, 2013 at 12:47 pm

        Thank you Jodi. x

        Reply
    10. Annaleis from Teapots and Tractors says

      February 28, 2013 at 11:40 pm

      It's a conversation every family should have. Lovely post Amanda xxx

      Annaleis - Blogs and PR Team Member

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        March 01, 2013 at 12:37 pm

        Thanks Annaleis. x

        Reply
    11. Claireyhewitt says

      March 01, 2013 at 6:18 am

      I love this post!

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        March 01, 2013 at 12:35 pm

        Thank you. x

        Reply
    12. ann says

      March 01, 2013 at 6:53 am

      Beautiful post. It is such an important subject and I really must remember to register myself.

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        March 01, 2013 at 12:35 pm

        Thanks Ann. It is an important issue. You can register on the Donate Life site - there's a link in the post. x

        Reply
    13. Gemma Nutshell says

      March 01, 2013 at 10:50 am

      So heartfelt darl, beautifully written about a subject some are still uncomfortable with.

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        March 01, 2013 at 12:17 pm

        Thanks Gemma.

        Reply
    14. Twinkle in the Eye says

      March 01, 2013 at 11:41 am

      Lovely post and a very important message to convey

      Reply
      • cookerandalooker says

        March 01, 2013 at 12:17 pm

        Thank you Bree.

        Reply
    15. eliz a buf says

      April 21, 2015 at 9:26 am

      beautifully said! what a gorgeous letter, and what an honor to have a poster made from your words, too.

      one of my closest friends worked in organ donations for a decade or so.... it was humbling to watch what his industry was able to do; it's so very very important. my children are older, so this is an easier conversation now, but i've raised them to know that as a family unit, 'we' strongly believe in organ/tissue donation and research. i look forward to the day when this can be a more openly talked-about subject.

      xoxo

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. 2013 FilmLife Blog Comp – FilmLife says:
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      [...] Amanda Smith – A letter to my babies about organ donation [...]

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