In Picture: Kayden, Melissa, Jon and Kylie Lawrence

Minutes before he was taken back to the operating room for triple bypass surgery in October of 2023, Connor+Gaskins Homes President Jon Lawrence kneeled on the floor of the Saint Marys Campus at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Rochester, MN, with shaking hands as he prayed, asking God to take away any fear in his heart and the hearts of his family who had just sent Jon off for surgery. It wasn’t until he got back up onto his feet that he realized the intense fear was gone entirely: he felt ready for war.

Just weeks before the surgery, Jon trekked from Naples to Rochester to undergo an executive physical – a comprehensive annual physical exam geared to evaluating and diagnosing one’s overall health in a matter of days. During the executive physical, doctors discovered Jon would need to undergo a coronary angioplasty and stent insertion due to blockage; however, it wasn’t until they started the procedure on October 24th that they realized inserting the stents wouldn’t be possible: Jon needed to have triple bypass surgery instead.

Expecting to wake up to a cured heart and a much-anticipated departure back to Naples, Jon, his wife Melissa and children Kylie and Kayden started to process the news that Jon would be staying in Rochester for the time being to prepare for the extensive surgery.

The experience brought an immense mix of emotions. From feeling a new sense of connection to his life, family and friends in the face of this trial to being overwhelmed with the unknowns of what was to come, Jon held onto his faith and the blessing it was to be able to heal his health before it was too late. After witnessing his uncle passing away at 52 years old and his cousin passing away at 42 years old, both due to heart issues, Jon understood the weight of this opportunity first-hand.

“I feel grateful. That’s the best way to describe it,” Jon said. “Not everyone is lucky enough to have the chance to fix their health problems. I had the chance to do something about it.”

If the experience taught Jon anything about life, it’s that he must trust in God’s plan – whether or not it makes sense at the moment. Multiple instances made this experience one that has forever changed him and his perspective on life, and that is a gift he doesn’t take for granted.
“Before this, I was just going through life’s motions,” Jon said. “But sometimes it takes a moment like this to remind you how fragile life can be. You take things for granted, like simply being able to wake up every day. Now, my first conversation every morning is with God, thanking him to give me another day of waking up and enjoying this place he created.”

Jon’s hope and mission is to encourage others to check in with their health – especially their heart.

“For most people, the fear of finding out something is wrong is why they don’t get checked,” Jon said. “Don’t wait. Don’t fear.”

With February recognized as American Heart Month, the CGU family reflects on our gratitude for the medical staff at Mayo Clinic and all cardiac facilities across the U.S.

Connor+Gaskins sincerely encourages all employees, friends and family members to schedule their physicals and take care of their overall health.

VISIT HEART.ORG (https://www.heart.org/en/)