Two Years Ago…

Two years ago, Barbara was baptized in the morning, as we prayed at her bedside hoping that she would make it through open-heart surgery that day.

Two years ago, my wife and I watched as our 3-day-old daughter was carted down the hallway towards the operating room, about to undergo surgery to repair her heart defects.

Two years ago, I remember watching the operating room doors close, and wondering if we would ever hold her again.

Two years ago we received a call from the nurse saying that Barbara was recovering after surgery.  We were happy, but scared…for good reason.

That night, two years ago, Barbara flat-lined multiple times, as we watch doctors rush in and perform emergency CPR. Looking for CPR training, click this CPR Certification Fort Wayne post for help!

Over the next few days, with the help of the incredible team at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Barbara started to recover, and we went home about a week later.

As I’m writing this, right now, Babs is sitting on my lap while watching “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.”  A few days ago, we had a blast celebrating her second birthday.

Life is great right now, as our son Tommy Boy turns 3 months old today.  He’s healthy and awesome.  So is Babs.

However, I don’t ever want to forget the impossible situation we were in two years ago…because of that day, and that experience, I strive to:

1)   ALWAYS APPRECIATE LIFE
(Even if there are bumps in the road)

2)   LOVE MY FAMILY AND FRIEND UNCONDITIONALLY
(What could possibly be more important than that?)

3)  ACHIEVE ALL OF MY GOALS AND DREAMS
(Now that I’ve survived the biggest challenge possible, what can stop me?)

4)  RAISE AWARENESS FOR CONGENITAL HEART DEFECTS

Tonight, I’m going back to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, as I’ve been selected to be an ambassador for the hospital.

Two years later, I’m going back to the place we never wanted to be at again, but this time the circumstances are different.  I’m there to help make a difference.

Here’s how you can help… tell every person you know about Life of Dad, and have them become a user and BUILD A MAN CAVE.

Why?  For each new user on Life of Dad, Ralph’s Grocery Store will donate $1 to Children’s Hospital Los Angeles’ Heart Institute.

Let’s go.  Let’s do this.  And let’s have some fun on the coolest and most hilarious website for dads, LifeofDad.com (I swear, the other posts are much funnier than this).

Please share this with your friends and family to help make a difference.