Update 7/13/08

Good news, good news, and more good news!

Good news #1:
Beck did not throw up anymore and he did not have to go back into the hospital. He also did not lose as much weight as I thought from his stomach virus. Way to go little champ!

Good news #2:
Last week we attended an award ceremony for Methodist and Blank Childrens Hospitals. These hospitals received an award because of their success rate of families deciding to donate their loved ones organs (this was the same award that the University of Iowa received in January). To receive the award a hospital has to have a success rate above 75%. Nate was asked to speak at the ceremony. We love speaking at events like these so that we continually thank all those that saved Beck's life and honor the donor of his heart. The news came for this event and did a clip on Beckham. It was shown on the 5:00 PM news on Channel 13 (NBC). I have tried to find the clip on their website so that I can post it, but they must not have uploaded it. They are going to send us a DVD with the story. I will post it on the blog when it comes.

One really neat thing that happened at this ceremony was that we were able to meet a family who had tragically lost their child and made the unselfish decision to donate her organs. I have never talked to a family who donated the organs of their child before and this was...quite the experience(in a positive way)...to say the least. Both Nate and I were very emotional when we heard them talking during the ceremony and telling their daughter's story. The best part was talking to them after. I sat with the mother of the little girl and we both cried as she told me about her daughter and about why they decided to donate her organs. Their reason for donating was one that I had never thought about...and one that brought me more comfort than anything else has. She told me that when they lost her their hearts were so broken and they knew that if they donated her organs it would mean that other parents would not have to feel the same pain they were feeling. Isn't that incredible? I know how heart broken I was when I learned how sick Beck was and I never ever want someone else to feel that pain...but I did not lose him. I never had to feel that pain. He his here and healthy and happy. This is all because someone else made the unselfish decision to donate their child's organs. I am so grateful to have been able to talk to this family. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Good news #3:
We made it to Utah! Yeah! We are actually on a vacation...away from our home!

There may be a lack of posts while we are here. Thanks so much for all of your prayers while Beck was in the hospital last week.

-Kim, Nate, Gwen & Beck