During the busiest shopping season when thoughts are turned to shopping malls and people hustle and bustle around in an attempt to get the perfect gifts for their loved ones, one family reflects on the ultimate gift their daughter left behind.

On a late Friday morning, as snow began to fall at a steady pace in Mineola, two families who share a special bond gathered inside Winthrop-University's New Life Center as they count the blessings that have come as a result of the tragedy.

On that tragic day of December 7, 1993, on the Long Island Railroad car just before its stop at the Merillon Avenue station, a gunman opened fire killing Mineola residents James Gorycki and Denis McCarthy. The final victim of the shooting was 27-year-old Amy Federici, a student at Fashion Institute of Technology and living in Mineola at the time.

The horror of that night is still fresh in the minds of those who experienced it. "I remember how crazy it was. I remember how absolutely senseless it seemed. I remember wondering how we were going to take care of all these people," said Dr. Gerald Bordy, chairman of ambulatory care for Winthrop-University Hospital.

In the ten years since the tragedy, stories of courage, resiliency and spiritual growth have emerged as family members of the victims have ensured that their loved ones did not die in vain.

Joyce Gorycki, James' wife, became an advocate for gun control as the co-chair for New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. Carolyn McCarthy, Denis' wife, became Congresswoman McCarthy, fighting for gun control laws in Washington.

But perhaps the most compelling story of the Long Island Rail Road massacre is the one of Amy and her special gift. If there can be any positives to be taken out of such a tragedy is that out of death was born life.

When Amy Federici arrived at Winthrop Hospital, she was in cardiac arrest. She was in need of 14 units of blood after a bullet tore open her carotid artery. After 35 minutes of oxygen deprivation, Amy's brain was dead, but her body was kept alive on a respirator. Five days later, Amy was removed from life support and her heart, liver and kidneys were transplanted into waiting recipients.

Amy's heart was given to Theresa Caravella of Islip, who was nursed back to health by her husband Joe. Now, at the age of 70, Theresa enjoys a healthy life and is the grandmother and great grandmother of 17 children she now has the chance to see grow up because of Amy's gift of life.

In the years following the tragedy, Mrs. Locicero said her family has lived in "sorrowful joy." "There absolutely is no way that the sorrow for the loss of my child is going to go away. On the other hand, we will not give up the joy of seeing Theresa Caravella alive and well," she said.

"I'm just so grateful to be here alive today with Amy's heart beating in me. She gives me life every day," Mrs. Caravella said.

When Mrs. Caravella found out she had received Amy's heart, she was devastated. "Even though she brought me life, it was just so very sad to comprehend that she was gone," she said.

Despite the feeling of sadness and receiving a medical miracle that allowed her to stay alive, since receiving Amy's heart, Mrs. Caravella feels fortunate to be alive every day and expressed gratitude to the Locicero family. "At a time that these people were grieving and felt so sorrowful that they thought to give life to other people, they're the best people I know. I love them dearly. They will always be a part of my family," Mrs. Caravella said. "I say a prayer every day for Amy. I know that this young lady is in heaven where she deserves to be."

There have been a rainbow of emotions that have accompanied the Locicero family over the past 10 years. While they still feel the pain and sorrow of losing their daughter, there is still the joy they feel from the life their daughter gave.

Even for a medical professional such as Dr. Bordy, it is still amazing how life can come from death. "I know in my head how that works but to see Amy on the stretcher and then seeing this, it seems like a miracle," he said.

On Friday, Dec. 5, two days before the tenth anniversary of the shooting and in the midst of the holiday season, Amy's parents Arlene and Jack Locicero, who have been spokespeople for organ donation, returned to Winthrop to honor the hospital for the care it displayed during the ordeal. "We left under circumstances that were tragic and sorrowful, but we are returning to bring to this hospital our thanksgiving and we are returning to say that organ donation works," said Mrs. Locicero. "We know that transplantation works. We've experienced it."

Aside from the gift of life Amy gave, out of the tragedy was born a friendship. Since the incident, the Locicero and Caravella families have become very close. Each year, on Mother's Day, a bouquet of flowers is delivered to the Locicero home in Hawthorne, New Jersey from Theresa Caravella. "It comes always with the same message, 'Love from Amy's Heart.'," said Mrs. Locicero.

On many memorable occasions such as holidays, graduations, birthdays and at the wedding of the Locicero's other daughter Carrie, who now has a 2-year old daughter Amelia, the Lociceros and Caravellas are together since they will forever be tied together by a heart that still beats with love. "From a small family, we have been enveloped by this larger family. It's been a wonder. With our work in organ and tissue transplantation, we know its been a wonder for other people too," said Mrs. Locicero.

The pain of losing a child has not dissipated over the past 10 years for the Locicero family. There are constant reminders of the hurt in songs or stories of other families who have endured a tragedy. But Arlene and Jack Locicero still feel blessed for they believe strongly that they will one day see Amy again and are comforted by what has come out of the tragedy, the precious gift of life.

For more information on Transplant Speakers International, visit www.transplant-speakers.org.