The Human Element

What does it mean to be alive?  In the animal kingdom there is a commonality that exists  between species; a beating heart, a sophisticated nervous system, and the need for food, water and shelter.  For some species this is all their life consists of each day.  Their job is to merely survive and the cycle continues until death.  

To be human consists of similar biologic needs but it consists of something unique and special that is found only in our species.  This fundamental difference affords us the ability to make meaning of our existence beyond survival.  We are the only species that can plan out their future and formulate goals to fulfill ambitions in life.   These ambitions go way beyond simple biologic needs.  We are a species that relies heavily on the skills of others in our society for our survival as a whole.  Our efforts in life are not merely for survival but to create a better life for each other. 

The people who donated their bodies for us to learn from were once full of life just like you and I.  They are more than just anatomical structures and teaching tools.  At one point they too were pursuing their dreams and planning for their futures.   They owned homes, worked, contributed to society, had children and perhaps went to college.  In an instant, a mere moment in life, all that they represented suddenly stopped and their ambitions, dreams and unique human qualities remained silent.  All that they did in life continued on thereafter through their immediate friends and family and to some extent us.  One quality each of them possessed in common was the value for education.  Our education. 

We musn’t forget  these people made the decision to donate their bodies for our use in pursuing our life goals.  It was a decision personal to each individual and unique in comparison to all other species.  The human element is a rarity, a gift.