Theresa Ausmus

On May 31, 2014 my world forever changed when my mom was declared brain dead after a ruptured brain aneurysm. She was only 52 years old.

Each day I try to remember what matters most, that my mom has helped 66 people ranging in ages from 13 to 89 years old from 21 states!

She was always so much more to me than just my mom…she was my best friend, my biggest supporter, my role model, my sounding board. No subject was off limits and there was nothing we didn’t talk about. Losing such an influential person in my life has been challenging. Getting through each day without her is a struggle that I battle every evening, when I miss her most and long to call her to talk about my day. She was my outlet and not being able to call her to talk about nothing for hours, not being able to ask her questions from her past or about anything at all; hurts more than I can ever describe. Her absence in my life is the hardest part. My mom was far from perfect, she was flawed like everyone is. She was a procrastinator and she could be unbelievably stubborn. She was scared of heights, open water and flying. She often let her fear of the ‘what if’s’ keep her from traveling and taking risks, but she was brave and stronger than she realized. She was the most giving and genuine person I’ll ever know. I am a better person for having her in my life. It was a privilege to be her daughter.

In 2022, I am joining Team MN-DAK and heading to the Transplant Games in her honor. Being amongst transplant recipients, living their best (second chance at) life will bring so much fulfillment seeing them in their element, honoring their gifts…knowing the cost.