Eriffah Ardilla Binte Norman, 14

School: Evergreen Secondary School

Topic: Do donor families find hope in organ donation?

Award: Merit, Junior Category, 2022

Still Here

What is the meaning of life? Throughout history, many philosophers have tried to seek answers to man’s worth. Nevertheless, I believe we can create our significance in this vast universe. Fundamentally, we are born to leave the world a better place than we found it. To be alive is to carve proof of our existence and hope it will not vanish even centuries later. To whisper into the uncertainty, “I’ve lived. Please don’t forget me.”

That’s the beauty of life. We are given this moment, one chance, to live authentically. Perhaps knowing everyone and everything is fleeting, we desire to love with a burning passion. And when we love deeply, it is to stay. Even when they are no longer here, love chooses to persevere. Grief is love with no place to call home. We are constantly grieving because we are aware of the inevitable.

Someday, that grief will no longer be preconceived. What follows is a chaos of mourning, longing, and aching. We call the inevitable a tragedy. And what is tragedy if it’s not ugly? But with organ donation, we could give it purpose. We cannot take away its ugliness, but we can choose to be tender and kind. Such a bittersweet thing, for a tragedy, is a celebration for another.

Yet, let there be hope.

For hope is in every flawed piece.

For hope is in every fragment of our being.

When there is courage, there is hope. From accepting a loved one’s death and consenting to organ donation, so much strength is needed. So much strength. But we do it all for hope. The hope to honour their last wish, their gift of life, knowing it’s what they would’ve wanted.

Hope, hope, hope. That’s all we can do. We hope for the organ transplantation to be safe and successful. So that we gain closure. So that our loved one’s soul finds peace in helping save lives. And also for the recipient, their family, and their friends to be happier than they would be now.

From one family to another, both know how difficult a final farewell is. How can we dare to let go of all the unsaid words, all the bottled-up emotions? But if we knew. If we knew all the smiles, birthdays, and seasons others witnessed ever since the organ donation. To know that many other families are able to delay their goodbyes. Just because of our loved one. Others are given a chance to fall back in love with life again. To cherish life for what it is. Ultimately, to understand the true meaning of ‘Live for those who can’t.’ If it’s this way, shouldn’t we have hope too? We, too, should find hope in stories starting anew.

This grief is immense, but your love is greater.

My passing does not erase my existence.

To die means I had to live. And how well I have lived. Do not think of me in pity, but rather remember me for all the lives I had touched. Have hope for others who can experience every joy, every pain, every home. Grieve for however long you wish to, but also celebrate the lives that are beginning again.

Bare trees can grow new leaves. Hearts can mend again. Endings can be made beginnings.

You can have hope. Because you’re still here. Because you’re capable of believing in the better of things.

And while life goes on, please know...

I’ve lived. Please don’t forget me.

Disclaimer: Please note that the views and opinions expressed in the essays for the Live On Festival 2022 are those of the participants and are not endorsed by the National Organ Transplant Unit (Ministry of Health). To learn more about organ donation and organ transplantation in Singapore, please visit www.liveon.gov.sg