The Story of Nathan

     Once there was a family that prayed for a second child. They were blessed with Nathan Thomas Bilsbury, born at 9:41 am on January 2, 1999. He was 7lbs, 6oz and just adorable. He was a very special child born with a very special heart. He would need to have several heart operations so that he could live and grow. He had his first surgery soon after he was born and spent five weeks in intensive care.

     Finally, Nathan came home. How happy we all were to have him with us! No one that met him could imagine how this smiling, spunky, rosy-cheeked child could have such a serious heart condition. Nathan blessed and brought joy to his family every day. His big brother Evan was so proud. His parents were elated. Now enjoying life out of the hospital, Nathan was a busy little guy. He went grocery shopping at Safeway and to play dates with Evan. He swung in the swing at the playground and rode the carousel at the mall. He enjoyed a train ride and a boat ride and took the metro to D.C. He liked putting his big fuzzy ball on top of his head and watching it roll off. He went to the zoo, on an Easter Egg Hunt and to two birthday parties. He flirted during church. He loved his bouncy seat and kicking his legs to music. He played on the front garden in his exersaucer and giggled and stared at his big brother and the neighbors. He watched the jets take off at the airport and strolled along the Inner Harbor. He played on a blanket at the beach, went down the slide with Dad and always leaned to one side in the back of the double stroller so he could see around his brother. He was very alert and stayed awake - a lot. He loved oatmeal, Gerber macaroni and cheese and once ate ice cream, even though he wasn't supposed to. He made our house a different, warmer place. Nathan thrived, and his life was full and fun and good.

     Then the time came for Nathan to have his second operation. We prayed for our dear, sweet child to be okay. On July 22, 1999 Nathan underwent open-heart surgery. He was fortunate to have a caring, knowledgeable and dedicated medical team looking after him; Dr. Love, the chief cardiologist, understood Nathan in a very special way. After surgery, Nathan was doing well and seemed to be recovering. Then he had several very serious complications. We remained optimistic through the two difficult weeks that followed. But then on August 15, 1999 at 1:41 am, Nathan Thomas Bilsbury died in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the University of Maryland Medical System. He was 7 ½ months old.

     But this is not the end of the story. Because the legacy and lessons and love this child left behind for us all are undying and timeless. Nathan taught us to love and appreciate every moment we are alive; to find and celebrate joy in everyday life; to make the most of the time we have on this earth and have fun and laugh often. Nathan also taught us to be observant, involved and really interested in life - to stay alert and awake and enjoy the beauty right before our eyes. He gave us perspective and taught us never to take anything for granted. This child showed us how to smile through adversity and face life with a strong, loving spirit as he did. Nathan Bilsbury showed all of us how one person can make a big difference.

     Nathan was a living miracle, an angel sent by God to live with us and touch our lives. We have been blessed as few have in our gift of Nathan. We thank God everyday that he lived, if only for a short while. We cherish his memory and want everyone to know that he was an important person who deserves to be remembered.

     We hope you can celebrate and appreciate Nathan's life as we have. Your reading this helps his legacy live on. Thank you.

The Bilsbury Family