I Think God's Trying To Tell Me Something

My opinion of organ donation has always followed that of George Carlin:
I'm not doing it because when I get into an accident I don't want the paramedics viewing me as a collection of spare parts to be harvested.

But in the last few years, especially since I've gotten married to a diabetic and had kids, I've had a nagging notion that I need to become a donor. I've usually pushed away the idea because it hasn't been time to renew my license, I don't have the time, it's not that important, I can do it later, etc, etc

Then yesterday I heard a story on the BBC World Report about the Dutch show that will involve a terminally ill woman choosing someone on TV to give her kidney to. I was immediately appalled by the idea, and I cheered when the BBC reporter challenged the producer of the show about why they were doing this: (and I'm paraphrasing here)

"The man who founded this channel died at a young age waiting for a kidney and we wanted to raise awareness about the lack of donors".

"Well couldn't you just make a documentary about that story?"

"Oh no! No one would watch the documentary. At least this is getting people's attentions."

And he was right. It got my attention. It shoved the notion straight into the center of my head.

Then tonight I read the story on Sepia Mutiny about an Indian-American who is dying from leukemia and needs a bone marrow transplant. More attention to the need for donors.

Again, it's been pushed to the forefront of my head. Alright, alright, I thought. I'll make a note to check the box when it's time to renew my license.

Sorting through today's mail, the registration for my new driver's license has arrived.

So the time is now. Alright God, I got the message. Loud and clear! This weekend when I renew my license, I'm going to become an organ donor.