Mike, what a wonderful dad/father/husband/friend. I read something on Facebook that Chris said the other day, I think on their anniversary. She said Mike doesn't wear his heart on his sleeve, but he is the most loving guy she knows. I thought about it for a second, and that's because Mike wears it in his smile. Every picture you look at with him and Colleen, his beautiful smile said I love you. That had to be the warmest and most comfortable feeling for her. That meant so much because that beautiful smile of love from Colleen was right back at him. Have you ever seen two people smile at one another, saying I love you so much? I saw a comment that Colleen had made that sums things up: “Happy Father's Day, Dad, the captain of our ship both on and off the water. We are so lucky to have you.”

Chris, I tried to find the right words that could identify the beautiful person you are. What better way than to take the words from Colleen. I found something that Colleen had said that sums Chris up perfectly: “This one is pretty fantastic. She has gone through everything with me. She has been with me against hardship, but more importantly, she fought against me when I needed it. She fought against me when I didn't believe in myself. She fights when I want to cry and feel bad about a test result. She fights me when I'm weak, when I can't be strong. She fights me when I can't fight for myself and my best good. I can’t measure where I’d be without her.”

Michael and Blake. Chris and Mike, you have raised two beautiful young men also. I admire you two greatly. It's hard to put in words what you have been through. The support system to your mom and dad and your sister was incredible. I'm so proud of you two. We all love you two so much.

I want to share a couple of comments I read on Facebook that really, really hit home with me. Colleen was a very special young lady, not because she survived two heart transplants, but her response even at three years old, she always tried to make everyone around her—doctors, nurses, other sick kids--be happy. Colleen has touched all of us and made our lives better which is all Colleen has ever wanted. This is a tough one—rain can’t scare off Gleasons from a Cub’s game. Nothing scared Colleen. She loved her Cubs. She learned how to face her life’s issues just like her mama. Challenging things make you stronger, not weak.

Life is always better when smiling. That, my friends, is Colleen in a nutshell. Colleen accomplished so very much. When she decided she was going to do it, she did it. What a special person. God blessed you close to his heart. What’s so amazing is that Colleen is still truly accomplishing things and helping others. She accomplished so much and absolutely never ever gave up. Truly inspirational. The Bible talks of beauty and brilliance. I imagine that the beauty and brilliance were intensified with the arrival of your precious Colleen. Most of us have had our own hearts for our entire lives and don't come close to the insight, gratefulness, and compassion of Colleen. We all need to find a better word than special to describe Colleen. It doesn't come close to the exceptional remarkable person she was.