After heart transplant, he’s no longer in a hurry

He had the heart transplant when he was 40. He’s now 55.

“You never know what life holds in store for you.

“In 1998 I caught a virus and developed cardiomyopathy; my heart was deteriorating. I was on a defibrillator and in and out of the hospital for two years.

“My defibrillator was always going off. One month, I think my heart failed about 20 times. It was like living a nightmare.

“Then in 2000 I got a heart transplant, and it took about two years to recuperate. They said I would never be able to do physical labor again, but here I am.

“Being able to work outdoors, being productive, makes you really love and appreciate everything. It gives you a new view of life. It helps you to slow down. I’m not in a hurry anymore. I just stop and smell the roses, enjoy the air, enjoy people. I had to learn that the hard way.”