By: Olga de Klein-Franklin, Donor Mother
LOVING OUT LOUD - The life of Adrian Gomez
Many years ago I read an article about a family who lost their young son in an accident while on vacation in Italy. They decided to donate his organs. The story made a big impact on me and I wondered how that family could keep on living, and what must have gone on in their hearts when they decided to donate their son's organs. How can one put into words what is indescribable?
On the morning of Monday, November 4, 2002, I was in my art class at Chattanooga State when I got a call. My husband was on the phone and said that, Adrian had been in an accident and that we needed to go to Knoxville, where he was taken to the UT Medical Center. On the way to Knoxville my husband asked me if I wanted to know what had happened. I told him "No." No, I did not want to know, the only thing I wanted was to be with Adrian. When I saw him he was in the trauma unit and unconscious. "Adrian, I am here." I held his hand and kissed him. He had surgery and they could not tell us anything, except that we had to wait to see what the status of his brain was, which could take about two days.
In the meantime, down in the lobby, his friends and their parents gathered, hundreds of them. His brother flew in from Boston on Tuesday. I told Adrian to please go back into his body. On Wednesday, we heard he was not going to make it. His brother and I told Adrian that it was okay for him to let go. All his friends came in the room and said goodbye to him. The next thing that I remember, my husband told me that we were going to donate his organs. I signed the papers. Everyone at the donor services was very compassionate. I heard about the matches that were found, but I still wanted to stay with him, how could I let him go? They urged me to get some sleep, and told me that they would call. So, in the early part of the morning on November 7th, my 20-year-old son left this earth and crossed over into another realm.
Adrian was born on January 6th, 1982, in Mexico City. On that day in Mexico, they celebrate "Los Reyes Magos", the day the Three Kings bring gifts to baby Jesus. Looking back on his life, he had always been some kind of an "Angel." There was an energy around him that was irresistible. He charmed everyone with his engaging smile, and was witty and humorous like the best comedian. His friends said that the room would light up when Adrian would walk in. They proudly use their nicknames he gave them all. He would befriend one group of people, then another, and connected all these groups with each other. He stayed loyal to each and everyone. He always saw the good in everyone, and was welcome at all parents' homes. He excelled in sports and was known for his talents on the soccer field. Of course, he had some traits that irked me as mom. He could be quite stubborn and feisty, and we butted heads many times. After my divorce with the boys' father, we moved to Signal Mountain. When I started dating their stepfather, Adrian would make sure that he knew his place! Adrian was fearless and lived for the day. He loved Widespread Panic and followed their concerts. About three weeks before he left this earth he told one of his friends, who was complaining about too much homework at college: "Don't take life so serious! Enjoy it while you are here, that's what I am doing!"
He was on the way back from a concert, when one of his friends, who was driving lost control of the car. Adrian was asleep in the back seat and was thrown out of the car. His organs gave life and hope to four people. I have not met any of the recipients, and I am probably not ready to do that yet. But I know he will live on in my heart and in the hearts of many, many others. And part of him lives in those who received his organs. He always has been a gift and will continue to be so. Thank you Adrian for sharing yourself with us - we love you! |
ADRIAN'S STORY