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The hardest thing I ever had to do in my life was to tell Kyle goodbye for the last time, before they took him to the operating room to harvest his organs for the 4 recipiants that were waiting in the other operating rooms. He was pronounced brain dead the night before at 7:56 pm, but they kept him alive so they could get the organ recipiants to St. Louis the following morning. That was the longest night in a hospital room that Stacy and I have ever spent. Along with my other children, we just could not keep our hands off of my son. We were constantly running our fingers through his hair and caressing his arm, and holding his hand. We talked with him all night long, as if he could process what we were saying. My 18 year old daughter, Sarah,is going to be a beautician and had always cut and highlighted Kyle's hair. She did not want the funeral home to touch his hair for fear they would trim it the wrong way. So at 3:00 am,the nurses got out of the way and Sarah gave Kyle his final haircut. The way she talked to him while she was cutting his hair, even made the nurses cry. She was so gentle and caring with him. The next morning,after doing several tests to make sure they could use his heart, they were ready to take him to the operating room. We all said a final prayer and told him it was OK to let go and go to heaven.We all surrounded the gourney he was on and walked down the ICU hall with him for the last time. When we got to the elevator, the doctors paused and let us say our last good byes. This was by far the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life. I share this with you because this happened exactly 6 months ago today. And we would be honored if all of you would discuss with your families about everyone being an organ doner, when the time comes. As I type this through the tears rolling down my face, I want you all to know that the 2 men in their 50's that each have one of Kyle's kidneys are both doing well. The 19 year old girl that got Kyle's liver and intestines has graduated from highschool. After the operation, she was able to eat solid food for the first time in 4 years. The 24 year old single mom that got Kyles precious heart is also doing great at this time. Please consider the following: if you believe in God and heaven, you won't need your organs in heaven. If you don't believe in God, and your final destination is 6' under, you won't need your organs there either. You can be a true life saver by being an organ doner. Please take a moment and think how wonderfully greatful and thankful you would be if your child, spouse, or other loved one needed an organ and they could get it in time. I can not think of a greater gift that could be given or recieved. As a dad, I can only think of how greatful I would be, if Kyle could have been saved by someone's selfless donation. I would have given all the double rifles in the world for another week with him. So in his memory, please think about being an organ donar. Sorry for getting on my soapbox, but thanks from our whole family. Kyle, at 14 years old and only weighing 89 pounds, did his greatest work after he passed on by saving 4 other people. We are very proud of him. Thannks for taking time to read all of this. Ken

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Kyle, I love you buddy, Dad

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