DEAR ABBY: When my husband passed away four years ago, I donated his corneas to a local organization. I was told the donor family could write a letter to the recipients, who remain anonymous, telling them a little something about the donor but without divulging any personal data. I finally felt up to doing it a couple of years after the funeral.
I sent the letters to the organization, which forwarded them to the recipients. I was told not to expect a reply. I learned that two women in California had each received one of my husband's corneas.
I have not heard from either of these ladies, which I really don't understand. I don't want a pat on the back, but I'd love to know how the corneas changed their lives. It would help me know that my husband's death was not in vain. -- WIDOW IN WASHINGTON STATE
DEAR WIDOW: Your husband's death was not in vain. You did a wonderful thing in offering his corneas so that others might see. Not every surviving relative is as brave as you were to do that.
Frankly, it's hard to guess why you haven't heard from the recipients. I can't imagine that they aren't extremely grateful for what you did. However, many people have great difficulty expressing their feelings on paper. The lucky individuals who were given those corneas may be among them.