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I had an idea when I was at his house to put a stories page up, since everyone had tons of stories to share about Gian. Well I hadn't gone through with my thought but when his cousin Dawn suggested a stories page, i decided to go through with it. So whoever wants to add a story about Gian in here can just send it to me. Thanks to those who have sent some in. Its hard to share but it gives us a picture of the true Gian.
From his mother:
I received a Christmas present from G. I have to share it with all. Miracles can truly happen. We want to share our miracle with you. Have a wonderful Christmas. Love, The Ziccarello family
11-23-03
Dear Roe and Thomas,
We received your letter concerning your sweet son and want to express our deepest sympathy to all of you. We want to apologize for not writing sooner, but just didn't know when the right time for yall would be to hear from us. How proud you are of your son and what a joy he brought into your lives. We have prayed for all of you and admire you so for your decision to give life to our son, Tripp, and many others in your time of grief. What a lovely way to honor and cherish your beloved son.
Tripp has had heart problems since birth. He had his first open-heart surgery at 5 months of age to repair the two holes in his heart. Then, at 5 years of age, he had to have a second open heart surgery to repair a newly detected problem, a leak in his aortic valve. He has never been afraid of doctors or nurses. Even at such a young age, he seemed to understand that he would have to go through these difficult times in order to survive. He is so brave and cooperative and because of this, he has helped us to be brave, too.
Around the age of 11, Tripp's heart was becoming enlarged and getting weaker. He had to stop all strenuous activities. This meant no more playing Fall soccer, which he dearly loved. His heart stabilized for a time but began to drastically weaken and he was placed under the care of the heart transplant team at age 15.
When transplant was first mentioned to Tripp, his reaction was not that of fear or self-pity. He hesitated and then as if to ask a question, he said, ?Someone will have to die in order for me to live. This was very troubling to him. If you knew our son, this would not surprise you.
I am telling you all of this so you will know just what a true blessing you have given to Tripp. For the first time in his life, he knows just how good it feels to be truly healthy. His days are now full of endless energy. His body is now getting the much needed blood and oxygen pumped throughout it and he is growing like a typical teenager. Tripp was so proud to hear all of the good things about your son and at the same time, he was overcome with sadness.
Our son, like your son, has brought so much pride and joy to our lives. He is always happy go lucky, never complaining. He recently celebrated his 17th birthday. He loves to fish and hunt with his dad. They are best buds. Tripp has an older sister, Stacy, who just turned 21 years old this month. They have always been very close. Tripp has a one year old Lab named Sandi, who moves from room to room with him wherever he goes. She was going to be a hunting dog, but has become a loving lap dog.
Once again, God and you have truly blessed us and you will be forever in our prayers.
Sincerely,
Vicky, Wally, and Tripp
"This is Kimber and her boyfriend, Todd. She received Gian's liver at Emory University Hospital. (She said that the man who received his pancreas was across the hall. She also said that the other transplants probably took place there, too, and that the heart transplant took place at St. Joseph's.) She's six feet, blonde, and gorgeous, but sweet, brave, and loving, too. (She said that she feels Gian's presence in her life on a daily basis. No wonder she does--Gian probably has a crush on her!) She's an LPN, working on her RN and is starting her first nursing job in Pompano Beach." - Roe Ziccarello.
Gian's Essay to Uncle Roger (Roe's older brother and best friend)
Written May 2001, two years before his death
Recopied verbatim
I come from a large family. My mom grew up with four brothers and seven sisters. I only had a couple of uncles, and I usually only saw two of them, but I saw one of them all the time. He was like my second father. He was also like a second father to my sister, but she was older, so I guess I had a different bond than she did. At the age of three, you kind of think that the people you see and love, you?re going to see them all of your life. Then you learn things that change your mind in a big way.
My uncle Roger was really close to my mom, and he was also really close to me. I saw him all the time, and he would do something for me, or give me something. He had the best bear hugs in the world! I would always get one when I was about to leave. I thought everything was always cool, but at the age of four, my mom told me something that would ruin that vision. She explained to me what HIV was, and told me that my uncle had it. I felt really bad, and did not want to think about it. From that day, I tried not to think about it that much, and I still played and had fun with him.
Until the following year when my uncle had gotten really sick, and went to the hospital. We saw him every day, but about a week later, he passed away grasping my mother?s hand. For the next couple of weeks, it was really sad and quiet in my family. It was the worse year for everyone. Not only did my uncle die, but my grandma on the same side of the family passed away earlier that year. (Correction from Roe: My brother, Roger, passed away when Gian was six years old. My mother passed away two years earlier.)
Now I am 13, and I have had two aunts nearly die, and an uncle recently passed away in a car reck. Having a large family is great, especially around your birthday and Christmas time, you also get a lot of cousins. The disadvantage of having a large family is that a lot more people pass away, or go to the hospital. I wrote this in memory of my uncle, because I still miss him a lot, and I hope that nobody else dies anytime soon.
From Gians cousin Dawn:
My parents have some of those pine trees that are tall and slender and almost look sculptured. A few years ago on the 4th of July, things got out of hand. People were shooting off fireworks everywhere. One of the fireworks hit my parents pine tree in the front yard. The tree went up into flames. Unfortunately, the burning tree was right next to my car. I was freaking out when Gian came running up yelling I will put it out! I will put it out! Instead of running for the water hose, he whips his hose out and starts peeing on the tree. He did not put the fire out, but he certainly gave it his best shot. You should have seen him he looked so serious and was giving it all he had.
Anyway, the tree didn?t make it. Along one side of the driveway, there was a row of tall pine trees with one burnt tree in the middle. My parents were going to plant another one in its place, but the next spring a tiny sprig sprouted up from the ground. My parents named the sprig Gian. It?s only been a few years so it?s little, but it?s strong and growing.
We went to the pool with one of our aunts when I was around 13, so I guess Gian was around 9 or 10. At one point during our trip to the neighborhood pool, this incredibly gorgeous lifeguard approached me. He must have been either 15 or 16, blonde, blue eyes. We were chatting for awhile, when finally he asked me what my name was. Before I could even realize it, Gian was between the lifeguard and I, and looked straight up at him (mind you this a 9 year old boy looking up at a 15 year old as if he?s short), and says, ?What?s it to you!?? The life guard looked at Gian, he looked at me, rolled his eyes, and walked away. That?s my brother always trying to be over protective of his big sister. -- Chloe
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