In a world obsessed with accumulation, Linda Dieken’s story strikes a powerful countermelody. Her decision to donate her cherished baby grand piano to the Salvation Army while battling ALS doesn’t merely represent generosity—it illuminates a profound truth about our relationship with possessions and purpose that society desperately needs to hear.
Linda’s story challenges our cultural fixation on holding tight to material possessions, especially during life’s most difficult chapters. Rather than clinging to her piano as a symbol of what ALS was taking from her, she transformed it into a gift that extended her legacy beyond her physical limitations. This radical reframing of loss into opportunity speaks volumes about how we might all approach life’s inevitable endings.
The Profound Power of Purposeful Giving
Linda’s donation transcends ordinary charity. By connecting her gift to her father’s longtime service with the Salvation Army, she wove together family legacy, personal passion, and community need into a single meaningful act. This wasn’t impulsive generosity—it was intentional meaning-making at life’s end.
Too often, we view terminal illness solely through the lens of diminishment. Linda’s approach offers a revolutionary alternative. Rather than being defined by what ALS had taken, she chose to be defined by what she could still give. This perspective shift transforms the narrative from one of helpless suffering to purposeful living until the very end.
Consider the contrast with how our society typically handles end-of-life possessions. Many families face bitter disputes over inheritances, or individuals desperately cling to possessions as anchors of identity. The hospice community has long observed how this attachment to things can actually intensify end-of-life suffering. Linda’s example demonstrates how purposeful giving can create meaning precisely when life seems to be taking everything away.
Creating Ripples Beyond Our Reach
What makes Linda’s story particularly powerful is how her gift created concentric circles of impact she’ll never fully witness. Her piano now accompanies children’s pageants, supports worship, and creates opportunities for musical development that will continue for years. This illustrates how generosity can extend our influence far beyond our physical presence.
The Salvation Army captain’s statement that the piano has
