Seize the Day!

Since 2004, Donate Life America has sponsored a float in the Rose Parade on New Year's Day in Pasadena, California. Hospitals and organ procurement groups from across the United States can sponsor organ donors, who are featured in "floragraphs" on the float. These portraits, made of natural materials per the parade's specifications, adorn the float, while organ and tissue recipients ride and walk around the float. This year's theme is "Seize the Day," and features colorful kites soaring above the float. The floragraphs appear on the tails of the kites.

The Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network has sponsored a donor from the region for the last several years. Each year at the organizations donor family recognition ceremony, Andy and I have listened as these donor's family members discuss their relative who was selected. It has always been a very touching experience for us, and we had thought how amazing it would be if, years from now, Jake could be honored in such away.

About a month ago, a representative from the FLDRN called to speak with us. When she started talking about the parade, I think my heart skipped a beat. When she told me that Jake had been chosen for the honor this year, I was overcome. I couldn't speak. I just looked at Andy with tears in my eyes, telling Karla, "I can't talk..." To think, our little boy, whose funeral was three years ago tonight, will be honored at a nationally televised event, for giving life when all we saw was death. Andy and I are extremely humbled by this honor - words escape me.

In early December, Jake's floragraph will be shipped to Rochester, where we will meet with FLDRN staff and hospital staff at Strong Memorial to create Jake's floragraph. The photo we've submitted will be transferred onto a piece of wood so that it will essentially be like a "paint by number." We will use natural materials to fill in the floragraph in Jake's likeness. When finished the floragraph will be sent back to Pasadena where it will be placed on the parade.

We will leave for California on Christmas and spend some time with family (Andy's uncle and my aunt) before getting to Pasadena on December 29th. We have a busy schedule once we arrive there. On Wednesday there is the Family Circle Rose Placement, when the roses which have been dedicated to organ donors from across the country are placed on the float. If I understand correctly, Andy and I will be placing roses which have been dedicated by donor families from our region and reading their dedications. On Thursday morning there is a donor family reception, and that evening there is a gala dinner. The float is decorated and judged on Friday, and Saturday morning is the big parade, where we will have grandstand seating. Another fantastic detail in all this? My mother and Andy's mother are traveling to Pasadena on Wednesday before the parade, and will be there to help us with the boys, and Andy's dad and his wife will arrive shortly after and attend the parade with us. Then there's a reception after the parade. We'll head back home on Sunday.

Andy and I are so excited by all the honors that Jake has received after his brief time with us. What makes us even more grateful is knowing that Jake's gift is being well cared for and loved, wrapped up in an amazing little boy in Iowa.