My beautiful Isa (Maria)………..

The “Speaking of Women’s Health Conference” in Riverside, CA had honored me with this beautiful award and gave me the honor of being the Keynote speaker and allowed me to share my story with over 800 women.   It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.  It was crazy because my speech was almost 30 minutes and it literally felt like two minutes.  It was such a pivotal moment for me as I was able to share my heart with power and strength without letting my emotions take over.  It was a big stepping stone for me. 

I had the most beautiful surprise ever!! It’s something I like to call the Q Factor.  Normally Isa and her mom Laura come from Mexico City to Loma Linda Children’s Hospital in December each year since she received Quentin’s liver so that they can do all of the tests on her and keep her up to date on her vaccinations and make sure that she is healthy and strong.  They always do this trip in the middle of December but Laura’s schedule at work and Isa’s schedule at school had some conflicts so they booked their week stay the week of the Conference without any knowledge that I would be in town.  Not only did I feel so honored to receive the award but the award was hand delivered on stage by my beautiful angel Isa.  Thank you Q for that beautiful gift.

These are the words they had put in their brochure about me…

Nina Astor

Nina Astor, a woman faced with a parent’s worst night mare … the unexpected death of their

17 month old child. At her most tragic hour, Nina makes the decision to save someone else’s life,

by donating her son Quentin’s organs. But Nina doesn’t stop there, five years later, she accepts an

invitation to decorate her son Quentin’s picture on the donate life rose parade float and to meet

the recipient family.

An outcome of her tragedy is Nina’s current mission to continue “paying it forward” … she is

locally involved in education to the public on the importance of organ and tissue donation. She

recently was nominated to sit on a national committee “20 million 2012” to increase organ and

tissue donation awareness.

Nina’s goal is to produce a positive PSA for Organ and Tissue Donation.

 I truly hope that this year brings many opportunities for me to speak and help people..

I started the morning not so much nervous but excited to be able to change lives and hopefully make a difference in this world.  My beautiful friend Loren was not only my photographer but my right hand in getting me ready for this day.  She heard me practice many, many times before the big day which really helped me get totally prepared for the event. I woke up to the most beautiful sight of not one, not two, but three Venti Starbucks Coffee’s in our room with soy milk and cinnamon on the side!!! Thank you, thank you!!!! She knew just what I needed!!!!

Before we left to go to California my sweet niece made this for me!!! Are you kidding me!! So cute!!!!!

I am so lucky because not only did I have Loren come with me from Minnesota for this special day but my other angel Laura jumped in her car and drove straight to Riverside this morning from San Diego to support me and give me tons of love today as well!! I am so lucky!!!  Okay I am not kidding you they did not plan the outfits nor did they plan their purse choice!!! How cute are they!!!  It’s like they were my supermodel bodyguards!!! So kind, so beautiful and so filled with love.

The three of us before the 800 women came through the door…

Here is a picture of Isa and Loren with the beautiful room behind them after everyone cleared out.

This is a picture of myself and Ruthita who is the CEO of the entire Loma Linda University Hospital.  What a remarkable woman.

After my speech I was so honored to have so many beautiful women come up to me and share their stories with me.  They were lovely and made my heart shine.  I hope they know that they touched my heart as much as they say I touched theirs.

This woman has a heart of sparkles…

My beautiful Isa, healthy and strong all because of Quentin.  xoxoxooxo