07/21/2024
25 years ago, our true hero was born. The day she was born, her parents probably had no idea how many lives she would save, when she left for Heaven. With her families permission, I asked if I could share her story, on what would be a highly celebrated one year anniversary for us; but as I thought on it, I thought what a painful week that would be for them. I want us to celebrate on the day she was born 25 years ago. Instead of just celebrating Grady's one year kidney anniversary, I wanted us to celebrate the life this girl lived and the life she gave not only us but so many others. I want to share a small bit from her obituary to start, something I read often.
Kaylie Jo
"She was the baby of our family and caused us all to slow down and look at the beauty that is in everyday life. On walks, we sometimes called her our pokey little puppy as she was usually a few steps behind enjoying the little things we hurried past. She admired God’s creation in all facets, noticing every distinct detail in the beauty of the earth, often incorporating it in her artwork. Her nurturing instincts were evident anytime she was around animals. She especially doted on her 2 kitties she had as childhood pets. Kaylie graduated from Carlisle High School in 2018. The fruit of the Holy Spirit was evident in Kaylie’s life in her teen years through missions work. Every summer beginning in middle school Kaylie spent a week on a Native American reservation in South Dakota so she could spread the love of Jesus to children and families there. She was always the first to take notice of the lonely or left out children and was intentional about making them feel special. Kaylie was determined to live on the “sunny side” of life and sought to see the best in all people. She expressed her beautiful creativity in so many ways in her early teen years including writing, cosmetics and playing the flute. Later she expressed it through drawing, painting, and most recently preparing unique food at Cheese Bar"
What a life to lead at only 24 years old. Kaylie not only SAVED Grady, but she saved 5 more.
I remember the day so clearly, when I just knew it was her. It had been a couple of weeks since I had sent out our donor-recipient letter through Mid- America Transplant and one evening a girl named Karina started liking posts on Grady's page, and something drew me to her name, and then she liked another post the next day, then someone named Brayden, with the same last name liked a post. I quickly clicked on Karina's profile, I just knew I was about to find Grady's kidney hero. Once I read a post that then confirmed what I thought, I fell to my knees and just cried and prayed. It was such an overwhelming feeling to finally have the missing piece to our miracle. Knowing her and her family, it was all we were missing. From there a letter came in, giving us a small bit of information and then shortly after came our response from Kaylie's family, to our letter. We are slowly building a life-long relationship with them. We couldn’t be more blessed to have these amazing people in our Grady and our lives. They raised such a selfless young lady, who gave Grady and our family this life changing miracle. I am going to attach pictures that will truly show the type of young woman Kaylie was, and why she deserves to be celebrated for all she was and she did before she left for Heaven. I ask you pray for her family today and do something selfless in her honor.
Happy Birthday Kaylie, thank you 💚
