Willie Burden has been a patient at Georgia's Piedmont Atlanta Hospital for more than 100 days as he waits for a heart transplant.
One of his nurses, Reagan O’Connor, wanted to do something special for her patient to lift his spirits. In turn, she brought him back some sand and seashells from her Caribbean vacation.
The Piedmont Atlanta Hospital shared a heartwarming photo of Burden holding the gift and smiling alongside O’Connor. In the caption, the hospital explained that the gift made Burden feel as if he was also on vacation.
"Despite feeling isolated at times, Willie has been able to take a little vacation time," the Facebook post from August 11 reads. "Closing his eyes, Willie says he can feel the warm sand beneath his feet, a cool breeze and the sun as it lights his face."
The hospital also asked Internet users to send some of their own vacation photos to help comfort Burden. It wasn't long before the photos began rolling in with well wishes for the beloved Georgia Southern University professor.
"I'm praying that you get a heart soon so that you can visit all of these wonderful places," wrote one person along with a breathtaking photo of a Florida beach.
See some of the photos below and please SHARE if you loved this heartwarming story!
One of Willie Burden's nurses brought him back a jar of sand and seashells from her Caribbean getaway to help him feel like he was on vacation, too.
"Closing his eyes, Willie says he can feel the warm sand beneath his feet, a cool breeze and the sun as it lights his face," the hospital explains.
It wasn't long before people started sending Burden some of their own vacation photos to also comfort him.
"And lastly, no trip is complete around the world before you experience penguins in the wild and take an amazing hike through the New Zealand South Island," wrote Mark Parrott.
Another hopes he can get to see the coast of Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
"Get well, Dr. B! One of the best professors at Georgia Southern University. Praying for ya!!" Bernard Ford Jr said.
Even a trip to Venice, Italy.
"I'll be Praying for you Mr. Willie!" Allyson Lumpkin said.
Another even wants him to see some local beauty on Tybee Island in Georgia.
"Praying your heart transplant is successful!" Priscilla Whitaker wrote.
To show your support for Willie and his kind nurse, please SHARE this story with your friends and urge them to share their vacation photos with him, too!
