Growing up in the 50s and 60s we didn’t have much in the way of material things, but we had food on the table, a warm bed and our family.  We knew we were not rich and only enjoyed the movies or a night of roller skating, if one of our friends asked.  We also knew we were lucky and well off in other ways.

Our parents taught us early on to share.  Of course with five children, we had to share.  However, I mean a deeper type of sharing.  Occasionally a stranger would show up at the door asking for money.   My parents had little money, but they would give the person a few dollars and a good meal.  They would sit and listen to the story.  Sometimes they could help more, by finding a room for rent or a job to help get the person back on their feet.

That sharing became our way of life.  One of my brothers volunteers to help other fix their houses.  Another has the widest shoulders for people to cry on.  My sister was a story teller and loved to engage children in her whimsical imagination. The youngest brother has an open house to anyone who needs a roof for the night.  I volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, a tennis teacher and a recreation board member to help our local kids have constructive activities.

Our parents went one step further than any of us could go, yet.  They both donated their bodies to scientific research.  Our Father sent his body to Cleveland Clinic and Mom’s went to Emory School of Medicine.

One idea that we children had not considered was that the receiving institution did not charge for our parent’s transport to their facilities.

Do we miss having a grave site to visit on their birthdays?  No.  When we think of our parents we are proud that they continued to help others.  Do people criticize us on our choice?  Sometimes.  But then we feel sorry for those people, because they do not know how to look outside themselves.

As for myself, I have asked my children to donate all my useable parts or donate my physical remains to research.  There is a huge need for donated organs.  Mine are still working, so why not give someone else a better quality of life?  I won’t need my liver (etc.) any more.  This would be the ultimate way to share.