One recent morning

The day started like any other as I walked into my office and dropped my stuff. Deciding that I needed a bit of breakfast, I headed for the cafeteria. On the way there, my pager went off – call surgery. The mother of a brain dead young man wanted a chaplain to be present in the operating room as the organs were retrieved. Gowning up I entered the room where the surgeons and nursing staff worked. Within a sea of blue sterile drapes, the only part of the patient that was visible was the large, open incision. I could see the heart beating and the liver within the hands of the surgeon as it was near ready to be removed. During the next hour I watched, aware that death had already occurred for this young person, but also very aware that what was also present was hope and life. As the heart was stopped and life-giving organs were removed and sent on their way, I knew that at this moment there were recipients who were anticipating a new hope and a new life. And for this grieving family, I also had hope that their decision would in time, lessen their grief. And it was a gift to me to be asked to be present.