Rebecca signed up to be an organ donor. The transplant team asked me if I wanted to write something about Beck that the team could read out loud in the operating room. They felt it was important for them to reflect on who Rebecca was and honor the gifts she was giving–the gift of life. Her lungs went to a single father of two boys–who is also a teacher. Her liver, kidneys, and heart saved lives as well. I wrote the following about her.
My name is Regina, and I’m the mother of Rebecca Maria Gonzalez. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to tell you about her.
Rebecca is a giver. She always has been. She gave joy, friendship, and love to many people. She gave us a beautiful child, her son, Elijah.
Rebecca is a brave person. She faced challenges and boldly overcame them. Sometimes she was scared, but she pushed through it.
Rebecca is a fighter. Life took jabs at her from time to time, but she punched back–hard.
The love we have for her is embedded in the atoms of her being. Each cell contains a memory of joy, laughter, love. It’s eternal.
To the fortunate people who receive her gifts:
May they be givers.
May they be brave.
May they fight–even when faced with a scary or bigger opponent.
May they feel the love we have for her when they take a breath, fall in love and feel their heartbeat fast.
Through our loss, we have found beauty in the idea that Rebecca Maria Gonzalez will continue to Give. Continue to be Brave. Continue to Fight.
Her Love will now spread to people who will now be considered part of our family–The few, the lucky few who have had the privilege to know her, love her and call her daughter, mother, sister, grand-daughter, niece, cousin, and friend.