Nicholas Jolly

Nick and I were married on September 9, 1978 and raised two beautiful children, Andrew and Diane. Just four years after we were married, Nick sustained a work injury that damaged his lungs and made it difficult for him to work, play with his children and maintain our home. Then, in June of 1994, Nick found himself in the hospital for weeks, suffering from pneumonia. Nick was in and out of the hospital a lot the next couple of years and finally placed on the waiting list for a double lung transplant at the University of Minnesota.

Nick's journey was very difficult at times, but he always had a smile on his face.

July 10, 1996, just as things seemed worse than ever, we received a phone call from the Lung Transplant Coordinator at the University. The next day Nick received the greatest gift of all – the gift of life. His double lung transplant was thanks to a generous 18 year-old named Brian and we were so incredibly grateful for Brian and his family for giving Nick back to us.

The gift of life meant that Nick was given nine more years with his family and friends. He was able to see our children graduate from high school. Most importantly to spend time with family & friends., gardening, traveling, dancing & making people smile.

On May 24, 2005 Nick ended his journey on earth and started his new journey in heaven, and I know the first one to greet him was his donor Brian. Nick is now in heaven doing all of the things he could not do on earth – dancing, working, mowing the lawn, shoveling snow and watching over his family.