This picture was taken just about a month ago when I was able to meet my first grandchild - something I wasn’t sure I would ever live to see. I had gotten suddenly & critically ill in March 2020 due to a gallstone attack - went into septic shock and nearly lost my life in March 2020 at age 60. Several months later my medical team informed me that I had suffered permanent liver damage and that the only cure was a liver transplant. I was completely incredulous. How could this happen? I had been an active, healthy man with no underlying medical conditions. I waited nearly 2 years on the transplant list at 2 different hospitals - but was successfully transplanted at Mayo Jax in Feb 2022. So it’s just about 2 years since transplant - and I daresay I feel amazing & healthy. I never truly believed I would ever feel normal again - but I think this picture captures the success of my recovery. I am forever grateful to my donor and his/her family for the gift that ultimately saved my life - and let me experience the joy of new life. My perspective on life and my priorities have changed as a result - all for the better. How could they not? I hope to pay this forward - to all those waiting for transplant and those recently transplanted. Have faith in the process. Mayo transplant team is amazing.