Happy "18th Birthday", Dad

{Here's me at age 4, congratulating my dad on one of his many promotions in the Army. (Thank Gawd for bloomers!)  My sister, Kurby, is in my lil' mama's tummy}. 

I'd like to wish my dad a Happy Eighteenth Birthday today*.  Huh?  How is it that I'm almost forty and my dad is only "eighteen?"  Let me explain. 

It was on August 25, 1994 that my dad received a successful liver donation from a sixteen year old teenager.  The teenager was killed in a car accident.  At such a sad, tragic time in their own lives, the parents made a selfless decision to donate their child's organ(s). We never met the family, they had requested to remain anonymous.  But from that day forward, my dad was literally given a new, healthy life.  And as a result, I have been granted an additional eighteen years with my own dad...and COUNTING!


Since 1994, I graduated from college.  I lived in NYC.  I got married.  I experienced my own career promotions.  I had a baby boy.  I had a baby girl.  I became a mother and a wife.  I opened a business with my husband.  I celebrated 18 Christmas's, 17 of which were with my dad (and lil' mama of course). 
Every year, my family celebrates two birthdays for my dad.  His actual birth day, and his transplant day.  (ya'll know my family is a sucker for celebrating birthdays!)

So, Happy "18th" Dad! 


Did you know:

One organ donor can save up to eight lives. The same donor can also save or improve the lives of up to 50 people by donating tissues and eyes.


In 2011, there were 8,127 deceased organ donors and 6,017 living organ donors resulting in 28,535 organ transplants. 

90% of Americans say they support donation, but only 30% know the essential steps to take to be a donor.

The success rate for organ transplants is between 80 and 90 percent.

There are so many myths around organ donation.  I would urge everyone to read here for more facts about it.  I would like to request that every person consider being a donor if you're not already.  Or at least be educated enough to know the myths from the facts about donation.  

Here's how you can register to be a donor.   


And, lastly, here's my dad today!  Yes, with my mama...the one that never reads this blog (proof here)!  (teasing)

* PS- I have posted this one day early because Vivid Hue usually doesn't post on Saturdays...it's a day off peeps! 

xoxo  Heather from Vivid Hue Home

Heya I'm on pinterest too. Check me out here.

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Write by: Arek - Friday, August 24, 2012