Dear Kerri,

It has been 6 months since fate brought us together and I’ve wanted to write to you. I’ve wanted to write down truly how grateful I am of you and your selfless donation. You and I never knew each other but you have truly saved me. You were at an age where you were not only learning more to what life is but experiencing what it had to offer. I just wish that them experiences had continued for you. That you was here living and the circumstances that happened for you to lose your life didn’t happen.

Your family recently wrote a letter to me and told me how truly amazing you were and the selfless life you lived. They told me a lot about you! They told me how devoted you were in helping others – not just personally but through your career as a carer for the elderly and severely disabled – and how your presence and beautiful smile would light up any room you were in (not to mention that you made sure your presence was made known with your loud laughter!). They also told me how much of a strong person you were throughout life and that you handled all of life’s challenges and heartbreaks thrown at you with valour. I, and your parents, truly believe that I’ve been blessed to have an amazing guardian angel in you.

Though life sadly ended for you, you have still ensured that you’ve continued to help others – as you did in life – by donating your organs to not only myself but to others too of whom needed them to live and through that, you live on. I can tell from the letter from your family that you would want me to live life to the full and not to feel the guilt I have towards your passing but I can’t help but feel how much you will be missed by your loved ones. But I must also realise that your final wish to donate life to others was fulfilled and that I must appreciate your wish and continue living life to make you, our families and everyone else in both our lives proud.

Early next year, I’m getting your name tattooed (my first ever tattoo!) with the date that fate brought us together. I know it might sound weird to have someone you’ve never mets name put onto your body but without you, I wouldn’t be here. I’ll be able to forever have you close to my heart (where I’m having the tattoo done) and know that you are looking over me, protecting me and encouraging me to keep fighting life’s challenges with the might and courage that you did.

Kerri, I will forever love you and thank you each and every day for blessing me with life.

Martin