Lynett Marie Bourgeous-Arntz

Last Tuesday my wife was going to meet our girls for dinner because my daughter was supposed to be leaving this Thursday for a trip to Manilla for work. She asked me if I was at all interested in going with her but I was tired and did not feel well. I told her to go without me and give the girls my love. Something along the lines of we can all hang out when she comes back. I told her to drive safely because it was rainy and I hope I told her that I love her because I don't even remember what we said to each other. It seemed so unimportant at the time.

That was the last time we spoke. A few hours later the police knocked on my door telling me my wife had been involved in a single-car crash sliding off an off-ramp while on her way home from dinner. First responders managed to get her pulse back after 30 minutes of CPR but one look at her when I arrived at the hospital should've told me all I needed to know. Her eyes were wide open, staring at the ceiling. There was no blinking, no response to my voice, touch, or anything. No movement other than her chest being pushed up by the respirator.

It took us a few hours to come to terms with the fact that she was already gone. Even if there would have been a chance that she could sustain herself on her own or through machines she would never want to live like that. She had mentioned that many times to me and the girls. So we decided that she was to be taken off life support to let her go.

I was unaware that she was a registered donor, but turns out she was as we learned at the 11th hour. I agreed to honor her wishes in this regard and it turned out her kidneys were viable to gift to someone in need. Today at 2:50 pm she passed away. It took only 3 minutes without life support for her to stop breathing and her heart to stop. She didn't struggle and she didn't seem to suffer.

My wife is the love of my life and now she's gone. To have her get ripped away from us so suddenly. I can't even begin to describe how it feels. But she got to be someone's hero on the way out. Someone else's loved one will possibly live a long life because of her selfless act and I am proud that she could do that.

My point in telling you all this is not to tell you some sob story so we can get money. Yes, we do need money to give her a proper send-off. We've been living from paycheck to paycheck for a while now and there was no insurance so anything you could do to help out would be greatly appreciated.

The point why I am telling you the story is that I want you to not take tomorrow for granted or even tonight. Hug your loved ones. Make up with them if you have had a falling out. Pick up the phone and tell your parents you love them. Go to dinner with your wife and kids even if you feel a little under the weather. Protect and cherish the ones you love. Right now is the only guarantee you have.

Rest now, my sweet Nay, my pretty bird. Our life together may be over but I will find you in the next.