• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Request for thoughts, prayers, and donations

The organ donations are a wonderful thing Nick. It will effect many recipients in a positive way. What a wonderful gift.

My thoughts will be with you and your family this week and weeks to follow. I'm glad you have such a strong family unit for you have had to endure a great deal this last year. Be there for each other and cherish the precious time you had to enjoy Gary's life.
 
At 4pm this afternoon, August 31st 2014, Gary Chestnut passed on. He was surrounded by people he loved, and those that loved him. It is a tragic loss, devastating and unfair. I ask that everyone pray for his mother, his family, and everyone affected by his passing.
I believe Gary would not have wanted everyone to be sad and mourn his passing, but instead to celebrate his life. Gary has a kind spirit and that should be celebrated.



https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/nrl5/the-gary-chestnut-memorial-fund/updates/90072
 
NightAngel79 said:
At 4pm this afternoon, August 31st 2014, Gary Chestnut passed on. He was surrounded by people he loved, and those that loved him. It is a tragic loss, devastating and unfair. I ask that everyone pray for his mother, his family, and everyone affected by his passing.
I believe Gary would not have wanted everyone to be sad and mourn his passing, but instead to celebrate his life. Gary has a kind spirit and that should be celebrated.



https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/nrl5/the-gary-chestnut-memorial-fund/updates/90072
Click to expand...
I'd just read the e-mail update and then came here... Hang in there, Nick. Your AF family is here.
 
Dammit Nick. I see those news pieces all the time. I don't think I'll ever be able to read one again without tears coming to my eyes.
 
NightAngel79 said:
Local news came out and did a very nice piece about Gary donating his organs, plus they posted a story on their site

Gary Chestnut, man paralyzed in October crash in Independence dies - Story
Click to expand...

From the article:

"We were told this morning that an older gentleman received one of Gary's kidneys and liver," Mayer said.

Mayer said doctors believed a second recipient might have been saved Monday morning by his step-son's passing.
Click to expand...
Gary, and his spirit of giving, live on.
 
On a lighter note, they put the video up on the article. They ran it at 6pm and again at 11pm. I totally hate seeing myself on TV... I sound like a tool :)
 
The report was fine (OK, you could have worn something other than a white tee :P), you have NOTHING to be ashamed of. As for finding positive in a huge negative? You and Gary hit it out of the park! Gary saved lives, how many of us can say that?
 
rootabaga said:
I'm struck all-at-once by the fleeting nature of life; the Bible reminds us that we are like the grass that is here today and tomorrow withers, but when the grass hasn't even had a chance to grow, it's just all too soon. We really never know when our last day will be, or even our last hour
Click to expand...
This is so true, and while I don't want to hijack NA's thread, I do want to add this personal experience: Three years ago my best friend's son, who was 25, in tip-top physical condition, in the military, and had returned to the US after 13 months in Iraq, died out of the blue. It turned out to be a previously undiagnosed heart condition. OUT OF THE BLUE we got word that he had died.

The moral of the story is exactly what rootabaga said. We never know when our last breath will be, so it's important to say the things we think/feel to people while we have the chance.

And to get this back on-topic, I have no doubt that Gary's family told him clearly and often how much they loved him.
 
rootabaga said:
NightAngel79, I've just spent the last half-hour re-reading this thread, reading the information on the Give Forward page and the Facebook benefit page, creating a post to share on Facebook and heading off to paypal to make a contribution (you indicated paypal fees were lower than the GF folks).

I'm struck all-at-once by the fleeting nature of life; the Bible reminds us that we are like the grass that is here today and tomorrow withers, but when the grass hasn't even had a chance to grow, it's just all too soon. We really never know when our last day will be, or even our last hour, and your willingness to share about Gary is a strong reminder of these truths.

I can't begin to imagine what your family is going through and I congratulate you on finding the fortitude to face these horrors in a way that will give and enhance life to others through donating Gary's organs. What an awful decision to have to face and again, all too soon.

As you have time, would you mind updating us on how the finances are? The Give Forward page only shows donations through them, and it looks pretty bleak, hopefully the other avenues of the Bank and paypal are helping to make up the difference.

You remain in my thoughts and prayers. I know it may not seem like much, but sometimes that is both the most and the best that we can do.
Click to expand...

Very nicely said...

I actually thought earlier today it would be a good idea to post about the other avenues of fund raiser.

I added all the info in the latest update. We have some concrete numbers now. Our church is paying for most everything, and we will be paying them back.

Really hope we can pay them back soon, I hate that they are forking out 6 grand for us...

https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/nrl5/the-gary-chestnut-memorial-fund/updates/90399
 
MoodyBlues said:
Nick, when you're ready, please let us know about the funeral.
Click to expand...

Posted an update on Giveforward about current state of money raised and about the second kidney finding a home.

I didn't mention in there that I put together a 400 photo slide show and had to scour through thousands of pics to find the 400 with Gary in them. Seeing so many pics of a healthy and happy young man is perhaps the saddest and most depressing thing I have ever done. Couple hundred showed up for layout, the funeral was beautiful...

The grief is almost unbearable and I'm afraid for my wife....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom