Human Kindness- Pass It On
Donation protected
In November of 2015, I made the decision and committment to become a surrogate mother. Sitting here now, two weeks away from our due date, I can tell you that it has been the most challenging, humbling, and rewarding decision I have ever made.
On that same day in November of 2015, I also made the decision that, should there be any compensation for the adventure I was embarking on, it would be donated in its entirety to a deserving person/cause/need. Everything about the journey I was about to take, I wanted to use to help improve the lives of others. This choice was made for a number of reasons: to redeem the parts of me that haven't always been so good, to begin creating a legacy that my daughter will someday be proud of.. and honestly, and most importantly, because I truly believe this is what humans are supposed to do for one another. The popular quote, "Be the Good you Wish to See," doesn't have much weight to it beyond being a nice thought if no one ever takes real action to Be the Good.. but I think "being the Good" is the most crucial and meaningful aspect of the human existence.
Eventually, I was led to the person/cause/need that I was seeking, and my mission was set in to motion by a series of miraculous events. Everything just seemed to fall in to place, and I can confidently tell you all that a person's life is going to be drastically changed for the better.. with a very real possibility that their life will actually be saved by the extensive medical procedure they will undergo, because it will prevent a slew of currently unpredictable life-threatening complications down the road. It is my wish to protect this person's identity by keeping the personal details surrounding the procedure unpublished, but I have been given their approval to establish this fundraiser. You guys- truly- your contribution to this effort is very tangibly changing someone's life forever, for the better.
I am being 100% transparent in how hugely I underestimated what the cost of this procedure would be. My surrogacy compensation only stretches so far- farther than what I am asking of you as a community of Helpers, but it just isn't enough. Initially, I thought- just fundraise for a small portion of it.. you'll figure out the rest. You always do. (And I will, believe you me.) But then I thought- who am I to underestimate Human Kindness? Especially from those who have been so encouraging, supportive, and inspired since that day in November, nearly two years ago. I've had countless people tell me/reach out to me/"like"/comment/message/call/share/etc that they've been so moved and influenced by what I am doing. Well guess what- you'll be doing exactly what I'm doing if you are able to help me on this mission, to any extent. Remember that quote about Being the Good? Let's do that.. together.
(Let me wrap this whole thing up by saying that, firstly, I am not particularly fond of GoFundMe.. solely because I have seen too many instances in which I think it is being abused. Secondly, I am not particularly fond of asking for help.. period. Those two things being said, I am still creating this fundraiser and I am still checking my ego to do so.. which should demonstrate to you all how important and worthy I believe my mission is.)
The procedure this person will undergo will be the beginning of a long road, and it all starts October 14th, 2017. Let's see what we can help with/donate/share/inspire before then. Updates to come.
With endless gratitude and all of my love,
Tess Nordstog
On that same day in November of 2015, I also made the decision that, should there be any compensation for the adventure I was embarking on, it would be donated in its entirety to a deserving person/cause/need. Everything about the journey I was about to take, I wanted to use to help improve the lives of others. This choice was made for a number of reasons: to redeem the parts of me that haven't always been so good, to begin creating a legacy that my daughter will someday be proud of.. and honestly, and most importantly, because I truly believe this is what humans are supposed to do for one another. The popular quote, "Be the Good you Wish to See," doesn't have much weight to it beyond being a nice thought if no one ever takes real action to Be the Good.. but I think "being the Good" is the most crucial and meaningful aspect of the human existence.
Eventually, I was led to the person/cause/need that I was seeking, and my mission was set in to motion by a series of miraculous events. Everything just seemed to fall in to place, and I can confidently tell you all that a person's life is going to be drastically changed for the better.. with a very real possibility that their life will actually be saved by the extensive medical procedure they will undergo, because it will prevent a slew of currently unpredictable life-threatening complications down the road. It is my wish to protect this person's identity by keeping the personal details surrounding the procedure unpublished, but I have been given their approval to establish this fundraiser. You guys- truly- your contribution to this effort is very tangibly changing someone's life forever, for the better.
I am being 100% transparent in how hugely I underestimated what the cost of this procedure would be. My surrogacy compensation only stretches so far- farther than what I am asking of you as a community of Helpers, but it just isn't enough. Initially, I thought- just fundraise for a small portion of it.. you'll figure out the rest. You always do. (And I will, believe you me.) But then I thought- who am I to underestimate Human Kindness? Especially from those who have been so encouraging, supportive, and inspired since that day in November, nearly two years ago. I've had countless people tell me/reach out to me/"like"/comment/message/call/share/etc that they've been so moved and influenced by what I am doing. Well guess what- you'll be doing exactly what I'm doing if you are able to help me on this mission, to any extent. Remember that quote about Being the Good? Let's do that.. together.
(Let me wrap this whole thing up by saying that, firstly, I am not particularly fond of GoFundMe.. solely because I have seen too many instances in which I think it is being abused. Secondly, I am not particularly fond of asking for help.. period. Those two things being said, I am still creating this fundraiser and I am still checking my ego to do so.. which should demonstrate to you all how important and worthy I believe my mission is.)
The procedure this person will undergo will be the beginning of a long road, and it all starts October 14th, 2017. Let's see what we can help with/donate/share/inspire before then. Updates to come.
With endless gratitude and all of my love,
Tess Nordstog
Organizer
Tess Nordstog
Organizer
Bend, OR
