Who is Nikolas?

Nikolas David Vangeison was born on April 21, 1983 at Houston Northwest Medical Center in Houston, TX. From the moment he was born I knew there were problems as this usually joyous occasion was somber and reserved and the nurses did not speak but to tell us that everything would be all right. After a short while for stabilization and evaluation he was whisked away in an ambulance to Texas Children's Hospital where he was to become a study in medicine as well as an inspiration.

He was born with a host of problems that are defined in the medical community as "multiple congenital anomalies" The list included spina bifida , ventricular septal defect of the heart, imperforate anus, single kidney, malformed arm, a cluster of orthopedic problems, hydrocephalus (water on the brain), mucus blocks in the intestines and several other anomalies. He endured 10 surgeries over his short two years including open heart (thank you Dr. Cooley), neuro surgery, bowel surgery and bladder surgery. He was, for all intents and purposes, a beautiful spirit trapped in a useless body.

But he never let these problems bother him. When we would walk the neighborhood, everyone knew Nikolas. I was known only as Nikolas' Dad. Children flocked to see him smile and hear his belly laugh and marvel at how his handicaps were more a problem for other people than him. He taught me and many people lessons everyday on living and life. His spirit was bright and untarnished. He taught me to never again take anything for granted and that life is a journey that needs to be traveled with all its good and bad.

Nikolas left me on a dark night in June 1985 after a freak auto accident broke his frail little body. I remember most two things about that night; one, he gave me a kiss right before he went to take his seat next to the Maker and two, he died in the same hospital in which he was born. The only two times he was ever there. The trauma of his life and death cost me my first marriage as the pain of remembrance was too great a strain for two people that had grown up together.

I tell people that his life was a lesson I would never trade as well as a lesson I would never wish on anyone else. His spirit is still with me every day and he continues to be one of the inspirations in my life. I know, when the times get tough, that I have survived worse. The picture above was taken on his 2nd birthday and maintains a prominent position in my office and my home.

I have remarried to a lovely, caring wife and I now have two beautiful daughters who will forever bring me joy and I know my guardian angel is there to watch over and guide me through this interesting journey called life.

The URL for this site is a promise I made many years ago to find a way to name a business after him. Now every time it is loaded it will be a reminder to his spirit. If you have found this site I hope that it will be an inspiration to you and your life.

One of the greatest tributes I ever heard to Nikolas was written by my Uncle and mentor. I share it with you now and hope that it will be the inspiration it was to me.

"I am Nikolas"

I am a son I was the one who you wanted to be For eternity you have set me free
For now, our God I am able to see The magic of His clowns frees me from ever having to frown I am free Don't you see I am free
It was for me you devoted your life You who are happy as husband and wife From the beginning we were always more than three and each of us is free
We love each other I am your brother In Christ we share But as parents you should be aware I can't find any who compare
You gave your all so I could have a ball
You are mine I am yours
There is no reason for us to search we are at home with the Father we know I look at Him and I know clearly why you love me and I you ever so dearly
He is love and mightier that we
Because of Him I can see I see our Cindy
Although its not windy her message is heard far and near and mine will join for those who hear
Much love is needed and you have seeded a life that glows for eternity
It wasn't hard for me to enter the beauty of Heaven For my soul was clean I never had a chance to raise the voice of woe
I could only hoe a field of love because you joined with the Father above
You are beyond what most folks are
For you gave your all so that I could have a ball
You stretched yourselves to the limit of human call
I want you to know that now I grow in the love of God And I will seed as much love as you need to stay on the path of love you selected
For you gave me as much as God expected
You stretched and gave great love and more I shall prepare you place and surprise you then with greater gifts than you can imagine
For that is the way I shall repay the life you gave and word you say when to our Father you do pray
I want you to know I love you all
My mom and pop and grandmas and dads I will prepare the clothes with which you are to be clad
There won't be a face among you that is sad
You gave me life It was my start I lived in time I'm in my prime I'm as big as I want to be
You set me free I know that you will bend a knee to as our Brother to set you free of the remorse that is and is to come but be assured that we are one
When you finish the grief You will feel the sun and among your hearts I will run
Until you too can see the Son For it is Christ who died for us each one so that you and I could have much fun With the Father of whom we say each day,
Oh, Daddy I love you my love can't decay Oh, Daddy I love you
That is my cry
For I am one who is the apple of His eye He is my Daddy that's for sure
As He is your and your grief He will cure Look for love in others my age
For all you give will be of my page I will lead you to those for whom Christ arose and you will bring others whom we will call brothers to call Him Daddy as He wants us to
For we are greater than me and you
We are lovers Forever, if you choose I love you more than you can keep score
I prepare your way and again one day
We will laugh and pray that the Father will say bring all your friend and in Heaven stay
I love you
For because of you I am Nikolas