Hello and welcome to the Gifted Life Podcast where we have conversations about organ tissue, eye donation and transplantation. You can always find us at thegiftedlife.org. I'm Laurie Steele and this is a special edition of the Gifted Life. We're honoring a hero.
Her name is Sean Elizabeth Guillot and she saved lives 30 years ago and she's soon to be on the worldwide stage and that's because her parents who are here in the Gifted Life studio make it a mission to talk about her legacy and her life-saving mission. So Peggy and Don, welcome to the Gifted Life. Thank you. Thank you for sharing Sean with us.
You're welcome. I'm your family for about a decade and I have loved getting to learn about Sean. You guys have been volunteers for LOPA. Why?
To honor our daughter so that her legacy continues and when we have the opportunity to speak about her, we feel so close to her. Yeah. I love her smile so if you see her picture but you can see the Gifted Life.org, you're going to have to check that out but you guys light up when you talk about your baby, Sean. So big smile, big brown eyes, she had big hair, right?
And she liked that. I'm a fan. But tell us about her. Well, Sean was the daughter?
She hoped for after having two boys. She came to us six years after our youngest son and they were always so very protective of her and I was a little older and I had her so I was a little more mature. And I think I appreciated the time that we were given with her because I realized how quickly the boys had grown up. Right, yeah.
Actually, that is when I got into real estate and I had an in-home office and I could spend quality with her. I think God works in mysterious ways. Had I not changed jobs and careers, I would not have had this time which was so very precious to us. I mean I nursed her for like a year and she was just the light in our lives.
And I can hear that from so many people, people who knew of her. And we can hear you getting emotional. It's been 30 years but it feels like yesterday. Sometimes it seems only yesterday, yes.
And I guess I always think of her as 15. But then when I see her friends and their children, then it hits home. Yeah. And dad is a strong, silent type but I like to hear what you want people to know about Sean.
So she was our Godsend after two boys. So we really appreciate her and never realized how short life's been that she would be with us. And if there was any way that you could see that, we certainly would have spent so much more time with her. She was a bubbly little kid.
We lived in a real good, safe neighborhood 40 years ago and we would just turn her loose, she would go from house to house, make friends with everybody. I can see that from her little picture's big personality. With everybody, it was different times in those days and you would just turn her loose if she wanted to go play. And if she stopped at a house, somebody would take her in, it didn't matter as a friend and as a child.
And we were never really concerned about her and her youth at that time. No. She had a tremendous amount of free time and enjoying life. And I think that's what I learned just from spending time with you guys is to appreciate those moments to love and hug your kids because it does go by so fast.
When you take us back 30 years, I know that those images must replay in your mind to what happened and how we got into the world of organ donation and saving lives and a legacy. Well, our lives were changed, of course, when we lost her. And in those days, back in 91, we knew nothing of organ donation. I did not even want to hear about it that night because I was praying for a miracle.
And instead, we got six. She saved or enhanced the lives of six people. I like the way you did that. So we just have to trust that God has the perfect plan for each of us.
It gives us a purpose now still to speak to others and about doing our awareness. I think the most important thing is for people to discuss it with their families and let their wishes be known. So that, hopefully, it will not come to what we were faced with in the middle of a crisis, the struggle. Because you guys were split.
Yeah, our family was actually split 50-50. Some are for donation, some not for donation. Correct. Well, I think really the thing was to realize where we were, you know, it's important to understand it was very important for me to understand the difference between brain death and brain injury.
Which is why you help us so much with education. Right, education is the key. My husband and my oldest son Shannon are realists. They knew exactly where we were with Sean.
My younger son Shane was very emotional and could not even participate in the family discussion. He just said whatever y'all just thought. Okay, he would go along with. And so it wasn't really until I retreated to the chapel in prayer and surrendered that this piece beyond understanding came over me at that very second.
I was able to get on board and say yes. So our family, as a family, came together and agreed that it was the right thing to do. And the piece I love about your story was that it wasn't something that you guys talked about. You weren't almost saying page about it.
Sean, you're an avid reader. What did you come across and how did that even make it into this discussion following that car crash? Well, I had read an article on article donation, but that was 1991 really hardly anybody knew anything about organ donation. Or talked about it or anything else.
And read an article. I had a free time. I had a chemical plant. So I read a lot and I read this article.
Filed it in the back of the brain. Never used it again. And that night at the hospital for whatever reason, my wife says it was divine intervention. At that point, when that article came across and we had to deal with Sean's injuries, the article said donate if you can.
And I really believe that the good Lord put that in my head to make us be aware of organ donation and which is what our family did. We got together. We got to really talk about it. Nobody knew about it in those days, but we did it.
And we are so glad that we did because we helped six people with her organ donation. You just feel the love in the room. Everyone and again, it's 30 years later, we're still talking about Sean. She's a hero.
She's a hero. We do have families who are listening who are donor parents and maybe they're just starting out. What advice would you guys give them? Some people say, how can you continue to do that and to speak?
That night in the hospital, it was so difficult to make that decision because I was the only one that knew about it. After I expressed it to my family, we came together as a family, but I would say that in today's world, everybody needs to educate the family members, ask them to be organ donors, tell them that you want to be an organ donor so that they in a time, hopefully, no tragedy, but hopefully in the time of a tragedy that that decision will be made. That family does not have to make it. If you have on your license or have expressed to your family members, that decision is made and it makes it easy to say, I'm going to be an organ donor.
And you can hear why these guys make such great advocates for donation and they're so passionate about Sean Elizabeth and they're so passionate about donation. We can hear the emotion and sometimes, you know, Ms. Peggy, when you're up in front of a group of folks, you still cry when you go and that's okay. I think it definitely is okay and I tell this to families who have walked our walk.
That tears are healing. And grief is something that we handle each one of us differently. But I was advised at the time not to take anything, not to take anything that would dull my emotions because you have to go through it. You can't go around it, but it will, it will make you stronger.
Our lives are never the same. I believe that we each have a purpose. I think that what we're doing with LOPA has given us a sense of purpose and we appreciate every opportunity to share Sean. And I remember that my God child, Corey Caballero, who was also Sean's Godfather said this to me about grief.
Grief is a perpetual visitation. And when it comes, you should embrace it because it will blossom into something beautiful. And when we see these say little kids that have received an organ, like little Smith, you know, running around tossing the ball with his brother, that says to us, you did the right thing. Wow.
Do you guys, is it okay for people to ask about Sean? Is it okay for you guys to talk about Sean? Can people find it like, oh, maybe it'll make you sad and we hear that you guys are crying, you know, today because we are talking about Sean, but is that an okay journey for you guys? Definitely.
It's okay. I mean, we are glad to express our feelings, to express what we have done and what Sean has done for us and all the people that are considering organ donation because if you don't talk about it, you might not ever understand it or ever know it. But if anybody asks, we always talk about it always and try to encourage others to do the same thing, organ donation. And I love how in your community, it seems everyone knows this story, the school, the L.M.V.
there church because you make it a part of your life. There's a donate life flag outside of your business and you fly proudly, right? Yes, we do. And we also keep a tree up year round.
It started out with a Christmas tree donate life with the blue and green colors. And then, you know, I said, well, let's just not take this down. It's stirs conversation. It's in our conference room at the office, along with a full page article of the gift of life that was written by a young lady that was with the Donnesonville chief at the time.
And she actually got an award for the article. That's great. Yeah. Yeah.
So we could be in the midst of a closing. And we have a few minutes before the attorney arrives. People will read that article and it stirs conversation and it's read's awareness. Even in the real estate world.
Yes. And for these guys, it doesn't matter if you're waiting in line. I know we went to a conference and Mr. Thomas was like, hey, I'll tell you about my daughter and donation.
And it's just so comfortable for you guys and you make other people comfortable with it. I convinced an engineer about three days ago who we had thought about organ donation, but never did. And when I told him about it, he promised me when he got back to Florida that he would sign up to be an organ donor. And I believe he did.
And you said that when you see Miss Peggy speak and you see that some folks get it like it just there's a light bulb that comes on and you guys resonate. And that's why you continue to do it. I don't think you've ever said no to a volunteer opportunity, Mr. Don.
Is it because I'm a pastor? What? Well, you know, if my wife, my good wife Peggy is behind me and she is the one that really keeps this alive, this organ donation, presentations and all. I don't know if I could have done it all these years, but she has always, always made me aware, which I am aware, but we need to do this.
We need to do that. We need to speak here. We need to follow Laura as she's calling and we always do. And you do it together.
You bring the friends, the family, and I just love it. So at the beginning of this podcast, we talked about Sean Elizabeth worldwide scene. So we got some news this year that we were excited about because of COVID-19. Things look a lot differently than we thought they were going to look.
But donate life, donatelifeload.org and throw that out for you guys that are listening and donate life rose parade float. That's on Facebook. But there are always festivities on New Year's Day. Typically there's a parade, right?
But because of COVID-19, that parade will not happen. But we wanted to continue to honor these donors. And so one of the donors that will be honored on New Year's Day as part of the donate life festivities around the Rose Bowl is Sean Elizabeth. So when we called to let you know, it sounded like you were a little bit shocked, right?
We hadn't been bound this journey before, right? And what are your thoughts now knowing that we have the floor graph, we have a worldwide scene and that your baby 30 years later is still saving lives? Well, I'd like to quote her friend Teddy who said her full of life personality. She would love it.
So we're proud to receive this kind of recognition and honor for our daughter. She has given meaning to an otherwise senseless death. Those words, by the way, were first heard by me and spoken by another donor mom, Libby Harrison. I listened to her speak and thought, gee, what meaning that had, you know, gives meaning to an otherwise senseless death.
And so she has been an inspiration for me and I hope to be an inspiration for others. And Libby is with us here at Lope and our family services department and she's wonderful for all. So I'm glad that you mentioned that. I don't know if you want to share, but we talked about, hey, it's normally the rose parade.
It's on New Year's Day. We have all these activities, but because of COVID, things will look a lot different this year. And you said, well, that's okay, because my baby stood out. She never followed the crowd and I just thought, oh, that is the best.
So we have a floral sculpture. We have a floor graph, which is Sean's image made of flower materials, which is beautiful. Who helped with that floor graph and the design of the floor graph and what it looks like? Well, we have an in-house artist and it's our little granddaughter who was named after Sean.
She is now 22, but she has been involved with Lope and making life happen since she was a preteen. She has designed shirts for the team, Sean Elizabeth team that participates or did participate in the Rabbeline Run for Life for the last decade. When the opportunity presented itself that this was going to be done in Louisiana for the very first time, I thought, gee, what an opportunity for Sean to participate. And that she did.
She spent six hours on a Sunday. And a college student, okay? So she really wanted to be there. She was amazing.
Yeah, she really enjoyed working alongside a Miss Liz Fox. Yeah. Who is with the donate life float committee? And I think they all had a fun time, but Lori kept them in line.
Well, and then I called you guys right after we finished the session. And that was something that we were able to do because of COVID-19. Things looked a lot differently. So a lot of the design was done here in Louisiana.
But little Sean said, I always knew about organ donation. I always knew I should have a heart. But until this moment, I didn't understand. But now I do.
And I thought, wow. And then you guys went out and watched a movie about donation that you thought was pretty powerful as well. Yes. I think the name of that movie was Two Hearts.
And it sort of paralleled our walk, our journey that night where the family was kind of split. So that's why it's so important to have that discussion ahead of time. But I do want to say this about little Sean at age 15. She was designing those shirts that we spoke of earlier.
And she took the initials S E G Sean Elizabeth Guillot and came up with a very powerful message, share, enlighten and give. And if you would see how she did the enlighten, she brought it up and made a cross out of it. She put a light bulb over the eye and in the word. So you can kind of see through those words and the way she presented them her talents.
And she's gifted. I've always said to her that we are all gifted. In some way or the other, God gives each of us certain gifts. And what we do with those gifts is our gift to him.
And I love that. And we heard it throughout this interview today, Faith, God's plan, divine intervention. And so, you know, when we're having lunch or something like that and we say, okay, it's been 30 years, how did you get here? How did you have this strength, this love?
How are you able to do this? Was it your faith that got you through? Absolutely. I mean, God strengthens us.
He is our strength when we are weak. And I always ask for his guidance, his wisdom and his understanding in all things. And he has certainly been right by our side in the most, in the darkest hours, you know? I believe it is only through his amazing grace that we are able to continue with what we do.
And it brings us closer to Sean. If we stay close to God, we stay close to Sean. And guys, when you talk about your faith, there's a name that often comes up, someone that helped guide you, that helped you get through the dark times and that name is Father Sean Shehe. And I'm not, it's not lost on me that his name is Sean, right?
S-E-A-N. And he joins us now by phone. Hey, Father. Yes, I know.
I'm here with Peggy and Don. You guys haven't spoken in quite some time, Humm if you're Don. Probably about 30 years. Yeah.
Yes, absolutely. Yes. Tell us about Father Shehe, Mr. Don and Ms.
Well, I could definitely remember him after the accident and helping us in a number of ways, advising us about how to do it and how to go on. And I definitely remember you, Father, saying, telling my wife Peggy, do not take any medicines, do not take any pills or anything else. You will go to sleep when you're tired enough. And that was with a very demanding voice and I think it worked.
Father, you had said you have to go through it. You can't go around it. The doctors wanted to give me something to help me sleep. You advised not.
And I think that was good advice. I have never ever taken a sedative or a sleeping pill. Well Peggy, the reason I said that was because I knew that you were the kind of person who wouldn't stay down long if she fell. And then you would get up again and do what you thought was best.
So I thought to myself, you know, she doesn't really need anything artificial because she's not an artificial person. So I suppose that was behind some of the advice that of course was also guided by the Holy Spirit too. I believe in that wholeheartedly. And Father, she, back in 1991, when they went through this tragedy, the crash, and they talked about donation and they say you were there every step of the way, did you know about donation and what did you see developing within this family dynamic?
I did see. Yes, I was familiar with the whole area of donation because in the dies of Baton Rouge, it had actually begun to come up, you know, about providing that information through your driver's license or whatever. And I suppose I also knew people too who died young and maybe if there was a healthy organ available that they might have lived longer. And so here was Sean, you know, a young girl, perfectly healthy.
And I thought, I mean, you know, her body is not meant for the ground at this age. So the whole idea of organ donation, I thought it was really an act of charity and act of love. And of course, I was willing to do that. And of course, I was completely dependent on taking in time at the time, you know, the parents of Sean, but I advise a number of people actually in situations to think about organ donation because I thought, you know, you can't do very much about death, but you can do a lot with the healthy organ if it's made of able to somebody who is in need.
You were such a guy through this trauma that they experienced and still to this day when Peggy is out speaking, you were mentioned because you were such a comfort. I think it's because you knew Sean. So your name is Sean S-E-A-N and then Sean was with S-H-A-W-N and there was a piece of paper where she had drawn, you know, Sean, both spellings down the favor and tell us what you remember about this personality that was, Sean Elizabeth. Well, actually when I went into the class, you know, when I was assigned to a Central Church in Donnesonville, I was asking the students their names.
So this girl anyway piped up and she said, my name is Sean, you know. So I said, well, that's good because my name is Sean as well. And so I said, it's Irish for John. So I wrote her on the board and she said, that's the correct spelling.
I said, how do you spell your name? So I said, come up to the board and she wrote her name on the board, you know, and I said, no, I don't think your name is correctly spelled. She said, I know it is. So I thought, well, I better let this one go because I'm not going to win here.
But it was the beginning, you know, but she kept exploring, exploring, exploring, you know, how to see. So I said, just check the dictionary, you know, just check the names for exam in Irish and then you will see. Yeah, that was my initial contact with her. The personality, huh?
What is it like here? Absolutely. Yes. Yeah.
And of course, everything was said, you know, backed up by a smile on her face. I wonder sometimes, you know, if she was born with a smile on her face because whether she was angry or not, that smile seemed to come through. Yes, Father, even as a small infant, you know, in her baby bed. We were greeted with that smile when we walked in her room.
I used to call it a disarming smile. Because no matter how you felt towards her, you know, because, you know, I mean, she could be quite upfront. No matter how you felt towards her, you couldn't really get angry at her because that smile was always there. Oh, I love that.
And we are going to have folks, Miss Peggy and Mr. Donner, 30 years out and they relied on their faith on you. But advice for families, Father Sheehy, who may be just starting their journey, knowing now what you know. Yes.
Yeah. I mean, in my ministry, I suppose, certainly from the standpoint of a parent, there is no greater pain, you know, than the death of a child. And it doesn't really matter what age. It doesn't really matter how many children there are.
First of all, it's unnatural because no parent wants to go before the child, you know. So when it happens, it's a tragedy. And, you know, as Peggy and Don know, it's not something you get over ever. It's something you learn to live without.
But I would say to any parent, you know, that, you know, the old saying, you have to try to make the best of what you have. And that's why I think that all the donation is really making the best of a bad situation. Because at least you know that this person's death is not in vain. Sure, there's a tremendous loss.
And by the same token, the loss is a little bit made up for when you offer something to somebody else that makes up for what they have lost, you know, namely a healthy organ. So I would say to any parent, you know, to consider that. Because in a way, even though it's not obviously the same, but in a way, it's a help to enable that young person to continue growing in the sense of sharing, to continue loving in the sense of giving. So in a sense, you know, in the Catholic funeral, in the preface, you know, we pray there that for the believer in death, life has changed, not ended.
And I think in a very interesting way, organ donation is a way, is a visible way to say this person's life has changed, it has not ended. Because it's now giving life, he's now giving life, or he's giving life in the case maybe to someone else through the donation of the organ. I know it's very hard because I've been in other situations where I have encouraged organ donation and the people refused. They refused because I had this idea that, oh, I can't even stand the idea, you know, that my loved one's body is going to be caught or whatever it is.
And I said, well, look, you know, your loved one's body goes on the ground, you know, and so that's not exactly a nice place to be either. But at least you loved one's body, you know, while the person is dead can give life to someone else. But I think it's the faith that makes the difference. Am I doing the right thing?
You know, that's what I said, I think, to Peggy S, you are doing the right thing. Because you're doing the charitable thing. You know, the old saying, charity covers a multitude of sins. That's what they taught us in the seminary, you know.
So you are being charitable, but it has to be heartbreaking at the same time. But, you know, it does mend the heart to some degree, as I think Peggy and Don can experience themselves. Yeah, and we want to talk about, they heard and watch one of the recipients grow and celebrate milestones. And I hope that you can stay on for that conversation.
But I did want to talk to you, Father Sheehy. Some folks have expressed religion as a reason not to sign up to be an organ tissue and eye donor. I know you had some great points there, but as far as Catholicism itself, the view on donation for those who may be on the fence or don't understand. Well, the Catholic Church, you know, certain there's no objection whatsoever to obviously organ donation.
You know, that doesn't mean, of course, you know, that you put an end to people's lives in order to harvest their organs, obviously. But yes, absolutely. Because it's really in the cause of health. And it's not actually violating the body as such, because the whole, for us, the whole intention is actually good.
And that is to help someone else who without that help would die. Oh, no, the Church actually supports organ donation. Thank you very much. And you can find more at loca.org.
And they have lots of different faiths there and how they view donations. So I'm glad that you came up with that and shared that with us, Father Sheehy. When you say someone getting a second chance, I do want to talk about one of Sean's recipients. And you got a guy's had a chance to talk and learn and see pictures and experience.
So can you share a little bit about Sean's legacy? The organ recipient that we were able to meet was her heart recipient, John Putthark from Mettery. And he actually shared a letter with us about a year after receiving his heart. He tells his side of how reluctant at first he was to benefit from someone else's terrible loss.
But then he goes on to say how much he loved his wife and loved his son. And so he wanted to live. Now what I thought was remarkable and so compassionate of him, he lived 22 years of his family to have included Sean in his obituary, preceded in death by his hero, Sean Guillat. I just thought that was so very nice of the family to mention that.
And then they also thanked Don and I for making that decision. I was glad to hear that her heart went to such a good person. He was recognized for his works within his church parish. He received a medal for his contribution and efforts at that particular parish.
I'm not certain what the name of the church was. But we have stayed in touch with his wife from time to time. And she continues to tell us how much those extra years meant to them. They were able to celebrate.
Yes. They were able to. And the tremendous amount of them. And the tremendous amount of the children.
That transplant he would have died and those children would have missed out on their father's presence and so on. Correct. One week left to live as we were told when he received the heart. He was very hesitant at first.
But after being able to be with his family, he was definitely grateful. Well, absolutely. Yes. It's a gift to see in the fullest sense of gift.
It's not something that a person deserves. It's something that a person is given really out of love, out of care. And I mean, that actually makes it holy in a very real way. And you just put in a post recently on your Facebook, a gift, gifts of life.
Everybody on the same page. Yes. Yes. Absolutely.
Yes. It's the gift of life. And of course, obviously as Catholics, we believe that as we said earlier in death, the person's life has changed, not ended. So it's like I often thought about Sean, I think to myself, she wouldn't even come back now if she had a child.
She had a smile here. I mean, she beams from here to here, you know, where she is because I mean, she really was innocent in many ways. And certainly, and I'm sure also, you know, being with the author of life, she wants to share life as much as she can. I guess in this way, you know, too, Peggy and Don, through what you've done, she has kind of continued to share her life with you.
Yeah. And you know, Father, I don't think either one of us have ever expressed opinion of you being at the hospital in the whole death grade class was at the hospital, including Father. And I don't think we ever expressed that to you, but we certainly appreciated that. Absolutely.
I mean, I had obviously, I could never know, you know, the pain that the two of you had, but I had an inkling, you know, of what it must be. And you know, how in the world can you bring good out of this terrible situation, really? So you know, that was my motivation and so on. And I mean, I didn't need any recognition or anything like that because it was minimal compared to what you were going through.
You know, it's what you're saying that Father is, I know I could never explain to you or any of the people in this room right now that we have lost a child. Never could explain that. You never could understand that. But if I would talk to another family that had lost a child, they would understand in a minute.
Right. Exactly. Exactly. I mean, obviously I've had a set occasion.
The first time ever actually I had a set occasion to conduct a funeral of a child with a child who actually died in the process of being born because the umbilical card wrapped around the child's neck and the child died, you know, child's hope. That was the first time and I thought, oh, my gracious me. I talked to myself then as a priest, you know, is this what I'm in for? Oh, and that's where you have to put things in perspective, you know, because many times I've said, you know, in all those years, you know, we have not here a lasting place, you know, so how can we make the best of where we are with what we do?
Correct. And I guess that's where your charity, that's where you love, you know, and that, as I said, a very painful situation has really made a difference, not just to you, but to all the other people as well whose paths you have crossed, you know, in the process of literally sharing Sean. She would love it, wouldn't she? Oh, she would love it.
She loved it. I love how y'all light up talking about her, remembering these memories, beautiful. And just think this recent honor of being chosen as the donor face on the donate life float sculpture, it's amazing. That's a real, I mean, that is a real honor, you know, and it's a recognition to, you know, of the fact, you know, that in many situations, so much good can be brought out of what is bad if those in the situation make the right decisions.
Because, you know, I believe that in every situation, we have a choice. We can come out of it better or we can come out of it better. In your case, you chose to come out of it better. And I would say that to any parent, you know, whose child dies, regardless of the circumstances, you know, if you share this person through organ donation, you actually will come out of this better rather than bitter.
Oh, man, I wish you could come back here and help us. You're amazing. Wow. Thank you so much.
We have enjoyed visiting with us. I enjoyed hearing those memories too. You could hear him light up talking about Sean. Well, Father, she, I don't know if you remember this, but we were at either the church fair or the school fair.
I was buying a booth with tickets and you and I were speaking. Sean was probably in middle school at the time and she interrupted us stating she needed some money. And then you looked at her and then you looked at me and you said, who is in control here? Do you remember that?
I had to do well. We always knew who was in control. Well, at times you're right. But you know what?
I'm so grateful to God that we had there for as long as we did. Yes. And I suppose in the sense that that brings tears to your eyes as well. And that's what it's not just you, but you know, I mean, God gives gifts to everyone and I suppose a young deaf like that.
I mean, all deaths actually, but especially a young deaf everybody is deprived of the gifts, you know, that God has given that person. So in a sense, you know, everybody was kind of is impoverished. And you know, so even in the midst of that impoverishment, I suppose in a sense, organ donation is a way of bringing something rich out of that impoverishment, you know, by sharing it with somebody else. Yes.
And she was a giving person. As you said, she was a giver. No, sure. Absolutely.
Yeah. She was a girl because she was curious. She was. She had a mind.
I often wonder sometimes that she ever slept because her mind seemed to be growing at a mile a minute. You know, I love it. I love it. I know it's been emotional for the family today.
So father, she, if you can keep them in your prayers, I know that you do and I do absolutely ask. Yeah, I do. Yeah, you've often said to me that her picture is always on your mantle. And it is right in front of me here, actually.
And you look at it with both a smile and a tear. Yes, yeah, I do. I do absolutely. And it also reminds me too, you know, of the cross as the both of every parent, you know, because nobody knows, you know yourself from day to day.
So it's so important to make the most of the moment. It certainly has given us a more of an appreciation and awareness of life God has given us and the gift. Shown was definitely a gift. All children are gifts.
And you know, I think that God has the perfect plan and we just have to trust. That's the key thing, you see, that's the key thing. And you know, especially when you feel down, you know, that's what lifts you up again, you know, that there is a plan here and the plan is actually for the benefit of everyone regardless of the circumstances. But it's like everything else, you know, we in some ways we're selfish.
Maybe it's a good kind of selfishness, you know, we don't want to let go of those we love, you know, we don't want to let go of those we care about. And you know, I suppose death is a rude reminder that says, you know, you can't really hold on to anything in this world. But you can make the most of it. Right.
I kind of like what you said when you wrote the paper on your thoughts about Sean, that the secret to living is giving. That's why you're under that. I totally believe in that. I totally believe in that.
Yes, it is. But I think in the sense, you know, I suppose, I mean, Sean was only a youngster really, but I mean, let's face it, you know, she, her attitude and her approach to life and so on and so forth. I mean, to a large extent, it has to be nurtured by you because, you know, we come into the world with a capacity, but someone or someone, you know, have to actuate the capacity. And I think, you know, that's what both of you did.
I think actually a Sean grew up. That would be a great battle taking between you and she because in many ways, both of you were stubborn, you know. I agree for that. I agree.
Once you got your teeth into something, you wouldn't let go and neither would she. Oh, I love that. I love the trip down memory lane. I love learning from you, Father Sheehee.
Thank you so much. You're very welcome. It's pleasure. And we'll stay in touch with the scripture readings, which you still continue to share.
And I want to thank you for that. Yeah. You're so welcome, Peggy. And I do keep you in my prayers every day, actually, actually all parents who've experienced the death of a child.
Any words for him guys before we disconnect? I appreciate you. I just came out of nowhere and then have been bugging you. So you have been so kind and I just appreciate you and think you're the best.
You're so welcome. And I certainly pray for the success of your work too, Lauren. Thank you. You're welcome.
Thank you so much, Father Sheehee, for giving up your time and advice. And, you know, made the spirit of life and the spirit of the Lord be with you, especially as you head into Christmas. You know, we're reminded that Jesus has come and he has given us hope and especially as he's given us a future to hope. And so like you said, Peggy, you know, in one of your emails, you have someone to look forward to.
Yes, a grand reunion. A grand reunion is right here. Thank you. God bless all of you.
Thank you for calling. Thank you for the privilege of talking to you. John and Peggy and you, Laurie, it brings back my memories of Yalen. Oh, well, you were great.
Thank you. God bless. In every episode of The Get to Life We Honor a Hero, today we ask Peggy to read a bio she wrote about her hero, John Elizabeth Guillot. We loved John for her unique self.
She was indeed a child of God, filled with his love and compassion. She adopted strays and sought to protect the smallest of critters. She simply could not understand why she was not allowed to have pets in her bed. Sean loved her family and cherished her friends.
She had a genuine concern for everyone's happiness. She did not like riffs between people and wanted us all to be one. She loved life and laughed often. Sean was high spirited and outspoken.
She had a fix on who she was and enjoyed every moment. Sean never met a stranger. She radiated an inner light that touched us all. Yet, we did not fully realize her impact and influence until she was gone.
Sean was the daughter we hoped for and little sister to our two boys. Just days before her death, she gives an insight into her intuitive nature. On August the 27th, 1991, she writes, Hello, my name is Sean. I am 15 years old.
I was born on July the 5th, 1976. My parents are Don and Peggy. I have two older brothers, Shannon and Shane. I love them both very much, even though I don't always show it.
During my spare time, I like to be around my friends. This summer, we have gone to Bell River almost every weekend. When we don't go there, we just stay in Deville. As of now, when I graduate high school, I plan to go to Nickel State.
I hope to be a child psychologist. When I graduate college, I would like to live in a big city and work with teenagers. I have always lived in a small town and would like to experience the big city life. Sean was a giver.
Her final act before leaving this earth was an ultimate act of love. She gave the precious gift of life to six people, including the gift of sight to two others, allowing the recipients more time with their families. I'd say she's in the big city now. And now we pause and say thank you to Sean Elizabeth for the gift of life.
This is episode 151 of the Get to Life podcast, a special edition honoring Sean Elizabeth Guillot, Louisiana's face for heroes in 2020 and 2021. Peggy and Don, I loved having you here. I loved getting to know Sean just a little bit more. I'm still learning after 10 years.
But I did want to share a dream that the namesake had. And Peggy, you could do that story, Justice. But earlier in the podcast, we talk about Little Sean and taking the initials for Sean Elizabeth Guillot, S-E-G, share in Lighten Give, which was so powerful for someone so young. And then there was a dream that she had.
Yes, we had visited the heart recipient, John Putfork, after Thanksgiving dinner in Metery. And we got to listen to Sean's heart beating. And Little Sean had a dream about that, maybe a week or so later, in which she actually saw Sean and Sean in a dream. And I said, well, tell me a little more about that dream.
And she said, well, Grand, you know, when I had my ear to Mr. John's chest listening to the heart beating, when I looked up, I saw Aunt Sean. And I said, well, tell me, did she say anything to you? And she said, Grand, as soon as she came, she left.
But she did say, hello, Sean. And I just thought that was such a tremendous experience for such a young person to have. We can always rely on our faith and our trust that God will take a tragedy and turn it into triumph. I just like to end this with a quote that I borrowed, which hangs on a memorial wall at our Lady of the Lake Hospital as it reads, as a tribute to our heroes through their selfless gift, new life arises.
Thank you for allowing me to speak today, Laurie. It means a lot. I think you've done a great job honoring Sean. Thank you for sharing Sean with us and for helping other families who may hear this.
Your final thoughts, Mr. Don, I know that you are our education guy. Make sure you talk about it. Make sure you learn about it.
Well, my thoughts are if a family is ever faced with this tragedy, hopefully never. But if you educate your family as to what you want to do, donate in organs. If you tell your family that decision is made and it's so easy on them to donate. I appreciate you guys.
They come out with us in the community, no matter where we travel across Louisiana or outside of the state. And they share their story and they make life happen. And we certainly appreciate them for that. We are here because it's New Year's Day.
Lots of exciting happenings around the rolls bowls. A rolls bowl of festivities today. Sean Elizabeth Guillot from Louisiana is going to be part of that. So I'm going to send you guys to donatelifeload.org.
Check out that site for all the details, all the major networks. Also on Facebook, donate life rose parade float page. So you'll be able to be a part of all of the festivities, everything that's unfolding on New Year's Day because of COVID-19. A lot has changed, but there was opportunity for growth and for new things to come up.
And so we certainly appreciate the Guillot family for riding that pandemic wave and for working with us. We thank you for listening. Remember, you can register as an organ, eye and tissue donor anytime at registerme.org. The best place to find us is our website, thegiftedlife.org.
On social, we are the Gifted Life Podcast for Facebook and also Twitter and Instagram at Gifted Life Pod. Thanks for listening. Happy New Year. We hope that it's a wonderful 2021 and we hope that you go out and do something you would normally do to help us make life happen.
We're a team. Until next time. This is a production of LOPA, or the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency. The Gifted Life is hosted by Lori Steele, Joey Boudreau and Sarah Blakemore, our executive producer at Kirste Kearson Hines.
Producer Ishelon Caraway. Intern is Rebecca Rannam. And we are recorded, engineered and mixed in our Covington, Louisiana studio by Troy Perez.