Each year the Iowa Donor Network hosts a tree planting ceremony somewhere in Iowa to dedicate a tree in memory of those who gave the most precious gift of all; the "Gift of Life".
This year's tree planting ceremony took place on the campus of William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
I was asked by the Iowa Donor Network to read at this year's dedication of the tree. I want to share with you parts of what I read:
On August 29th, 2006, at the age of 28 years old I received the most loving, compassionate, and selfless gift from my mother, the "Gift of Life" by the ways of a kidney transplant. My mother so lovingly and unselfishly donated one of her kidneys to me so I could have a chance at a healthier and extended life. Today we gather to dedicate a tree in memory of your loved one.
Symbolic tree planting ceremonies are an age-old ritual, spanning many countries and numerous cultures. Putting a healthy, young tree in the ground is a symbol of celebration: representing life, hope, growth and continuity. A vibrant, beautiful tree benefits everyone in this generation and future generations and is, perhaps, the most fitting memorial we can give to a person. Planting a tree is an act of direct benefit to everyone. It can inspire energy, faith, devotion, and courage and carry forward the name of the person memorialized in a living, vital way that grows grander with the years.
...Today's ceremony assumes a highly symbolic significance and relevance; this tree will grow to remind all of us, as well as new generations to come, of the many already flourishing seeds of hope that your loved ones have given to others. I hope that when each one of you get a chance you will come back to Oskaloosa and visit this tree and remember the precious gift that your loved one gave, the Gift of Hope and the Gift of Life.
After my reading, families tied green ribbons on the branches of this newly planted Locust Sunburst tree in remembrance of their loved ones and the gifts they gave.
The ceremony concluded with very moving speeches from a mother of an organ donor and a liver transplant recipient.
Being at this ceremony provided me the opportunity to meet and speak with family members of organ donors and other transplant recipients. As I spoke with family members of organ donors, I was completely overwhelmed. I was flooded with words of congratulations on my transplant and kind words of what an amazing mother I have - that I already know :).
Before I left, I walked back out to the tree.
I sat for a few minutes on a bench next to the tree, just staring at the tree, staring at all the green ribbons tied to the branches of the tree. Thinking about the people who tied those ribbons, thinking about their loved ones who gave the "Gift of Life" and the "Gift of Hope" to others, thinking about those others, the recipients, and thinking about my mother.
There was no stopping it... a tear slowly streamed down my cheek as a smile was painted on my face.
