Happy Birthday To You

Happy Birthday Dad! I know it has been a long time since I have given an update. Boy has it been a busy few months! Between baseball, football, tailgating, birthday parties, retirements and all kinds of other good stuff...we have all been running around like crazy. We are so thankful that Dad has been healthy enough to be a part of every wonderful memory we have made over the last several months. Dad is doing great. See for yourself!

Dad had a check-up last week with his heart doctor. Everything is looking wonderful. They won't see him again for another six months. Thank you to everyone for the continued support and prayers. We are so very grateful.

Happy Father's Day

It was a busy weekend for this clan! Saturday was Taylor's birthday party. Kelly and Steve had all of us over for a bbq and swim. We had a full house. Steve's dad was in town and all three of Mom's sisters were there too. Leslie and Chris also came, so we got to spend some time with baby Gray! We also had some of our extended family there too. Shannon, Charlie and Ray were able to join us. It was lots of fun to see everyone and a good time was had by all.

Today the Nall-Bursmith-Guindi bunch all celebrated Father's Day together. We went and had brunch at Brady's Landing and then all headed home for a nap! It was the perfect ending to a terrific weekend.

Today we honor all of the wonderful Father's in our life. These men hold a special place in all of our hearts. They are loving husbands, caring dads and wonderful people.

Today I am especially grateful to have my father here to celebrate with. He will probably never know the impact he has made on this family. Here's to you Dad. Your three girls love you more than you will ever know.

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Where Does The Time Go?

Ok. I know. It has been way too long since I have posted an update. It is not that I don't have anything to say. I do. Not a day goes by that I don't think about my parents, this experience, Roy and his family or some aspect of this journey. But all too often the day goes by and I find myself falling asleep before I have gotten to even half of the things I need to do. So, regretfully, the blog has been neglected. So, here are a few updates.

In early April Dad spent a few unexpected days in the hospital. He came down with a fever and chills late one evening. As any good transplant patient would, he headed directly to the emergency room. After a few days of being in the hospital, I had a hard time remembering how we managed Dad's three month hospital stay. I can only imagine how hard is was for Dad. Anyway, it turned out to be a somewhat minor incident - a strep infection in his leg. After a few days of some stiff antibiotics, he was as good as new.

At the end of April my Dad and Shannon (Roy's mom) made a visit to my work. They came to share their story with my City of Bryan family and spread the word of how important organ donation is. Janice also brought along her City of College Station family. Their story was heartfelt and emotional and even I learned a few things about my Dad that day.


Mom and Dad have been busy with Life Gift events. A few weeks ago they got to attend a red carpet event put on for all of the volunteers. I haven't seen Dad in a suit and tie in years! I must say, Mom and Dad both looked fabulous. Then, a week later, Dad had the honor of handing out medals at the annual donor family ceremony. Finally, Dad and Shannon were both on KHOU TV in Houston talking about organ donation and the Heck of a Blanket outreach. They interviewed a lady that received one of Shannon's blankets after her son's death. It was a moving news story and really got the word out about organ donation and Shannon's blanket ministry.

There are probably so many more updates I could give. Life has been non-stop for the last two months. But, to sum it all up, Dad has never looked better. He is healthier than I have ever seen him. We have so much to be thankful for.

A Year Later

To mark the one year anniversary of my Dad's heart transplant, I went back and read the blog. There are things I had forgotten about. There are stories that I will never forget. What a year this has been for my family. A year ago we watched Dad go through a life changing event. We wondered if and when life would return to normal. Today we watch him spend time with his family and enjoy the things that a short time ago seemed almost out of reach. Today and always, we have so much to be thankful for. For the gift that my Dad was given. For the years we never thought we would have together. For family, friends and even strangers that carried us through tough moments. For those that rejoiced with us during the happy times. For doctors that come to work each day and help their patients beat the odds. For Roy and his family. For unexpected friendships.

A New Beginning

So many times in the last year we have all thought about the day when we would meet the family of the man that saved my father's life. Well, Saturday that day came. What a day it was. We didn't know exactly what to expect or what we would say or how things would go. But I am here to tell you that the day was more than we could have imagined. The family we met was strong, compassionate and giving. What we learned on Saturday is that Roy Heck was an incredible man. He was loving, adventurous and lived in the moment.

Something else happened on Saturday. We gained a new family. A family that cherishes the gift that Roy gave. I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of something greater than we could have ever imagined.

Roy Heck, thank you. Thank you. Thank you for your gift. Thank you for sharing your family with us. Thank you.

Roy's Poem

It has been awhile since we have posted, but that does not mean it has been quiet behind the scenes. Two days before Thanksgiving 2010 we received a letter from the donor family. This was a much anticipated moment that we had hoped for and so grateful and humbled when it came. In that Thanksgiving gift was a poem, written by Roy’s stepdad. Our response is included. God Bless.

Roy's Poem:

Even as a toddler, Roy was full of life, running and playing, without any strife.
Energy all day, he lived without care, from where did it come, maybe that red hair?
He took a liking to ball, to run around bases, he put a big smile, on everyone’s faces.
A swing and a hit, that ball was long gone, and his love for that game, his love carried on.
He ran into trouble, that car on his chest, God saved him that time, it wasn’t time to rest.
Latter in life, it happened again, it was only a leg, and this time by a friend.
He got even older, and a new love was found, a love for the ladies, then Ashley was around.
April was next, he found his new love, when that one was over, he found his ‘Turtle Dove’.
“It’s time to grow up now, get you a job”, “A job is for sissies, its fishing I love”.
With pole in hand, he headed to the lake, proud of his catch, a picture he’d take.
He would call late at night, when he ran out of beer, “Mom, can I get 20”, he’d ask without fear.
Mom would say no, she did it with care. If Roy did not say “Love you momma”, it would be rare.
He lived without care, and marched to his own beat, he needed to live, live life on his feet.
His time would come quick, “God, he was just born”. Saved at 16, he is now in God’s arms.
Roy will be missed, by all that he knew, but some day we will see him, this you hold true.
You see, God needed a soldier, to help lead the great fight.
He will raise up his sword, and he will show us his light.

Michael's Letter:

Friday, November 26, 2010

Michele and I married as teenagers just out of high school. Last year we celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary. I gave her a ring, something a little out of character for me. Even though the doctors had not “officially” told me that my days were numbered, I already knew. So, she got her present a year early just in case I was not here for her.

This past October, we celebrated our 40th anniversary. Of course, I was not able to do this on my own. After receiving your poem earlier this week, I now know the name of the young man that saved my life. It is Roy. I am sorry that I will never meet him face-to-face, but some day our paths will cross again and I will have the chance. I want his family to know that Roy and I have a relationship that not many will ever get to experience and I think of him often.

I am humbled and grateful that you made, I am sure, an extremely difficult decision. Because of the choice that you made I will never forget what you have done for me and my family. I was very happy and thankful to receive a communication from Roy’s family and I wish you all comfort and peace.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Mike Nall

Michele's Letter:

November 25, 2010 – THANKSGIVING DAY

We were so thankful to receive your poem about Roy, it was beautiful. We now imagine your red-headed boy heading off to the water to enjoy a relaxing afternoon of fishing. The vision brings a smile to our face and a tear to our eye. No one can predict how their lives will twist and turn and how, through fate, we are now connected forever. We were very moved that you shared some personal insights and moments with us.

How do you put in to words your gratitude to someone that has given your loved one a second chance to live? My husband, Michael had been ill with congestive heart failure for the past 25 years. Last year, the week before Thanksgiving we were told that he had less than a year to live. In mid-February, he was hospitalized and was told he would stay confined to bed and attached to the equipment that would be doing the work for him that his heart could no longer manage.

Our family and friends prayed as they have throughout these years. It is difficult to pray for a new heart that would allow your loved one another chance, since the reality is that someone else’s family must suffer the loss of their loved one for this to happen. We are most grateful for your caring and kind act.

This second chance of life is not my husband’s alone. Our two daughters and our four grandchildren have also been given a great gift – they are getting to see their dad and papa strong and ready to take on the world. Michael had his first of six heart attacks when the girls were in 1st and 4th grade. For them, childhood memories included many hospital ER’s and ICU’s. Our grandchildren have known nothing except a weak grandpa, one that we planned our daily activities around papa’s “nap” times. But now, things around our home are slowly changing. Last month a camping trip was planned – just mimi and papa and three of the grandkids, ages 7, 6, and 4. All by ourselves! This could have never happened before. We are very fortunate to be making many new memories that once seemed unlikely.

I write this letter to you on Thanksgiving Day and more than ever before, everything that it symbolizes and stands for is multiplied for our family today. On this day, as we gather with family and friends, we will bow our heads to give thanks and we will remember Roy and his family today and always.

Prayers and blessings to you.

Sincerely,

Michele Nall

Cloudcroft 2010

Vacation! The last week of the year the family went on vacation in Cloudcroft, New Mexico. It was the the Nall Family, the Kemp Family, the Guindi Family, and the Bursmith Family.


The trip was tons of fun and a great opportunity to celebrate Dad's new lease on life! Last year we had the exact same trip planned but had to cancel it when we found out Mike was in end stage heart failure. The fact that we got to go on this trip just eight months after his heart transplant was a miracle in itself. We spent the trip cherishing our time together and being thankful for the journey that allowed us to take the trip to the top of that mountain.

Below is a picture of Mom and Dad on their way up to the top of the hill to go tubing. Yes, you heard me right. Tubing! It was probably the most fun we had on the entire trip. The kids (both big and small) couldn't get enough of it.

It Has Been Too Long

These last few weeks have been extremely busy. With the holidays and vacation, time has flown by. The good news first. Dad's health. During the week right before Christmas he went and had some lab work done. His Prograf levels were off and his white blood cell count was high. They changed his medications up slightly and his labs this week showed that everything is back to normal! His progress these days has been spectacular.

The holidays were filled with tons of food and family. They were laid back and fun. Here are a few pictures of our time together.