Angel Sheila Giblin Kahl Receives Her New Wings.

Good fortunate smiled down upon me the day that Al read a Neighbors article in the Sun and Press Bulletin by Valerie Zehl. Ms. Zehl invariably writes about amazing people in our area, who triumph over the impossible and Sheila was one of these amazing people.

The touching article stated that Sheila, who had been waiting to have a lung transplant had, in fact, received one from Columbia University as she was a high risk case and Pittsburgh had refused to take her. Her husband, never one to give up or in, drove them off to Columbia University, who would give her a second chance at life.

I read the detailed article with amazement, understanding, and a heartfelt kinship with this lady that I didn't even know. But what I did know was that she and I were walking in the same shoes.

Al kindly tracked down Sheila and Willie Kahl's phone number for me hoping that I would make contact and hear how life can be good again. Well, I did call Sheila and what a gabfest we had over everything, from being sick, to finding clean toilet facilities, the vagaries of life, from our family and friends' reaction to our unwanted illness that plagued us night and day to our plans for the future.

Never once did Sheila feel sorry for herself or ask the inevitable question, Why me? She dealt with the cards she was handed and did it in fine fashion. Sheila spoke lovingly of her husband, Willie, every time we talked and how supportive he was of her. He was with her every step of the way and he was her best, loyalest cheerleader, gently guiding and helping her as no one else could. He was/is the love of her life. And I suspect for him, she was/is the love of his life.

We e-mailed, we chatted, we consoled, we laughed, we planned our next adventures that we were sure were right around the corner, we promised to finally meet each other and we had faith that all would be well for us in the new realm of transplant life.

My last conversation with Sheila touched upon her going back to college and pursuing another degree, her ability to get in her car just to go shopping, her ability to have her freedom back, an enjoyable meal at a restaurant, all the little things and big things that we take for granted. She did not take these for granted and clearly made it plain that she was indeed fortunate in so many ways-new lungs, her family and her friends. She knew what mattered most in life, especially her husband, Willie.

I received an e-mail from Sheila asking if she could come for a visit. I promptly wrote back, please come for lunch, Mom and I will order out, I want us to just sit, relax and do what we do best-chat. Well, a few weeks passed and I thought it was odd that Sheila hadn't e-mailed me back. Meanwhile, I, myself was going through a major change in my life and unfortunately, her visit lapsed from my mind. This past week, her absent e-mail floated to the forefront of my mind and I thought, I shall give Sheila a call.

Unfortunately, my call is too late. Our angel, Sheila, here on Earth has received new wings in Heaven. Sheila was the kindest of angels I have ever met. Her willingness to share her life story to inspire me to seek a lung transplant and her offer of help gave me hope that only a person going through or has been through a lung transplant can give. She is one of my Angels of Hope. I know someday I shall finally meet Sheila and when we do, we will continue on with our gabfest.

I sat down today to write Willie a sympathy card. For me, sympathy cards are so hard to write. I never want the person to feel any worse than I know they already do. So, I stutter, stop, back up, creep forward and finally, somewhere in my heart, I find the words that I need to say.

For Willie, one little part that I wrote was the following-for Sheila, Willie was the permanent smile on the inside of her heart. I had written this for my husband and painted a heart with this and had it professionally framed. But, my saying fit Sheila and Willie's life together so perfectly. I continued to extoll all of his virtues that she frequently told me about, her husband- the love of her life. Well, I do believe, I have found out once again, what love is. It is Sheila and Willie giving each other 110% and being there for each other in a positive way that blessed them both. It is a terribly sad day for us as we know that Sheila is resting peacefully in the palm of God's hand, watching over all of us.

Sheila's incredible strength, will and fortitude will guide me through my lung transplant. She has given me so much, that only a true guardian angel can.

My thoughts and prayers are with Sheila, Willie and their families and friends. Sheila embodied all the goodness in life and shared it without hesitation. In my turn, a part of Sheila will rest in my heart, never to be forgotten as she inspired all of us, who knew her.

Rest in peace, Sheila, for your life's journey continues on with us.

Sheila Giblin Kahl passed away Saturday morning, July 26, 2008 receiving her new wings in Heaven.

I must thank Al for the wonderful opportunity he gave me in meeting Sheila. Without Al's thoughtfulness, I would never had made the acquaintance of the only unique, one of a kind Sheila Giblin Kahl. Thank you, Al. You did my heart and lungs good.