Austin was an amazing you man who always wanted to help. We called him our gentle giant. When we lost him, it left an Austin-sized hole in our hearts, but because he had talked about wanting to be an organ donor, and had made his wishes known to us, it was easier for our family to honor his wishes. Just knowing that he has given life to others is helping us heal. This summer we even had the chance to meet his heart recipient, and we were able to hear that strong, healthy heart beating. It was a precious moment for us. I will never forget our first conversation when he proudly showed me his driver's license and said, "I'm an organ donor." I just laughed and asked him why he chose to be, and his practical reply was, "Well, Mom, you can't take it with you." Because of Austin's actions, our entire family is now committed to spreading awareness for organ donation, and we are all registered donors.
