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

40th Anniversary

Today, 10-10-10, Michael and I celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. In October, 1970 we had met 5 months and 1 day earlier, just a few weeks shy of my high school graduation. My granny lived near Hempstead, Texas and for over a year had been telling me that I needed to meet John Michael. He was her paperboy. I guess you could say that the Houston Chronicle played a big part in bringing Michael and I together. So by chance, if there is such a thing, I was visiting my grandparents that May weekend when I saw a red Mustang entering their subdivision. My granny is saying, “You better get your hair fixed, I just know he is going to stop by.” Seriously? Why would he do that? Anyway, fixing my hair was not an option. I had just washed it and rolled it in about ten orange juice cans and it would be another 3 to 4 hours before it would be dry. So as our discussion continues I hear a car door close.

We sat at my granny’s kitchen table for over an hour. I can’t remember everything we talked about, but I remember him asking if I would like to go with him to finish his route. In what has now become the first of a long string of family “events” and just the beginning of the Nall Saga, we end up in a cow pasture when the Mustang’s brakes failed. As they say, the rest is history. To be continued…

One of our wedding gifts was a poem that my father wrote for us. The framed hand-penned poem has moved from place to place with us and hung on many a different wall. It has served as a prayer (of sorts) for me and now I would love to share it with you. My dad could have never dreamed that this was possible. Enjoy.

Our best wishes, Michele and Michael
May the notes that your lives sing
Forever be of kindness, forgiving and those of TRUTH above everything.
Notes that ring clear against bigots with sounds of meaning, better than mine.
Patience displayed, contempt not errors
Not envy those that great blessing find.

May God guide you beyond reproach,
Hear not sour notes others may sing.
Employ faith in your judgments
But TRUTH sings loud in everything ---
A song, not of Life’s imagined journeys
As idealized in old gray dusty books,
But one of ideal cooperation of your graces, fearing not the comments of doubting looks.

May God enrich your tolerances daily
To the tune only brave angels can sing.
Have no pious hates or holy wrath
But TRUTH above all with everything.
Put notes to service, sing duty with joy,
Deny not others voice to disagree,
From bitterness do not sin, dream, be bold,
Then Life’s song you’ve sung. Heaven’s for thee.

A poem I wrote, just for you two on this your wedding day – 10-10-70.
All our love forever, Dad and Mom Miller

September Update

Yesterday, Michael had labs, echo, and biopsy. Just got the word… they are discontinuing another of his meds and there will be NO MORE BIOPSY’S unless they suspect something is going wrong. AWESOME! He will go for a clinic visit once a month until they feel totally comfortable about his progress. Unbelievable at just how well he is doing.

Thank you all for your prayers and your support throughout all these months. You all are wonderful and I am so fortunate to have you in my life.

Love to all,
Michele