Amazed

You are never gonna guess who I got to meet today?

The one and only Stephanie Nielson.

And it was incredible. Life changing.

She came to the College of Nursing's Professionalism Conference. She told us about how she loves nurses, how they are her sisters, how they made the difference for her.

She told us how the nurses showed her love and gave her hope. How they told her mother the truth, but then gave her mother hope. She told us how the nurses pushed her and challenged her.

I cried. The whole time.

Afterwards, I got to hug her. And tell her how incredible I think she is. I got to thank her for sharing her story, for being an inspiration. (Something I have wanted to do for a long time now.)

She has such grace, beauty, strength, and humility. I am amazed by her.

And then....

At the end of our conference Paul Cardall spoke to us.

Paul Cardall is a four time billboard chart pianst. But he was also born with a congential heart defect. He survived 36 years with only half a heart. And then his heart started to fail him. He waited for over a year for a new heart. And on September 9, 2009 he got it! The doctors weren't sure if he would even survive surgery. But he did. Then they said he would spend 4 months in the hospital. He spent 2 weeks.

His story was incredible. His strength and determination were inspirational.

I am amazed by him.

As I went running tonight I thought about how grateful I am for people like Stephanie and Paul. And how grateful I am for my body, for my heart, for my lungs, and for the ability to run.