A special thank you - from one survivor to another

I just finished a wonderful book.

Why do I know (not just think) it's wonderful? Because, a) it fits the classic definition of a 'page-turner' - I stayed up half the night after beginning it yesterday and then lounged around in my PJs until late this afternoon so I could power read it through to the end....and b) because I have a powerful urge to get a copy of this into the hands of those I hold closest and most dear because it will strike a very familiar chord  with them because of something our family went through 12 years ago.

The book is "Heaven Is Here" - a NY Times bestseller written by a remarkable woman named Stephanie Nielson. I don't want to throw in too many spoilers here, but Stephanie could be the 'girl next door' or across the street from any of us. She grew up in a great American town, surrounded by a large family with traditional family values and developed dreams, early-on in life of finding a prince and having a family of her own.

She found him - and they began building their real-life fairy tale until LIFE happened one fateful day a handful of years ago. That day, their love story changed to one of survival, faith, prayer, miracles and family solidarity. And the kindness of friends and even complete strangers through thousands of tender mercies, or if you prefer, acts of service. That's all I'm going to say - get online or to the bookstore or library and GET THIS BOOK!

Stephanie, her family and I not only live in the same town I do, but also the very same neighborhood up on Provo's east bench on Y mountain. Our families probably walk/hike jog the very same roads and trails, and I never knew them, nor their remarkable story until now.

I had no idea about their amazing, inspirational story of love, trials, miracles and overcoming incredible odds to first survive, then adapt, re-learn and thrive. I feel fortunate to have found their story and feel a kinship and like I know them a little bit through reading this book, and Stephanie's world-famous blog, NieNie Dialogues.

This book touched me particularly deeply because of a near-death experience I had, not from an accident, but from a surgery gone horribly wrong. I, too, spent months in a coma in the hospital, hovering between life and death. I also have vague mists of memories of being in a different place, with different people, while my body lay in a hospital bed with my family keeping-up the constant bedside vigil and prayers, and legions of people I never knew prayed for my recovery and performed incredible services and kindnesses to our family.

Our injuries were different, but Stephanie and I fought many of the same battles in our minds, hearts and bodies during the long and often lonely road through healing, rehabilitation and recovery. I openly wept in several places in the book because I know from my experience in my own way, what Stephanie went through in choosing life and then finding the strength and courage to re-build it, one faltering step at a time.

I describe more of my experience if you scroll down my blog to "Death's Doorstep" from 2012.

I cannot recommend Stephanie's book highly enough. It will help you reassess your life, and your trials and challenges, and allow you to realize how rich your life is with so many little things that most people take for granted.

BRAVO, Stephanie, Christian and family! Thank you for sharing your story with us and uplifting us.

Memories of McCartney....

I really feel like I should write a little bit about what I saw and experienced last night in Salt Lake City  - because it felt like a seminal moment in my life. At least, the part where you experience magic and make memories to last a lifetime.

I went to my first concert the Summer I turned eight - 1964. I remember it like it was this morning. Some older kids from my church group took me with them to the Reno Coliseum to see the Beach Boys. The first of many, MANY times I would see my favorite group, thanks to growing-up in the concert-rich environment of Southern California.

But somehow, impossibly, it now occurs to me, with all those years and all those venues in L.A. I NEVER managed to see The Beatles. All their concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and Dodger Stadium. I was probably at the beach when the lads from Liverpool rocked into town.

And so it was a few years back, shortly after George died, that I VOWED I would see Paul McCartney before one of us died. It literally became a 'bucket list' item for me.

Last night, I finally got to cross that off my list with one of the most INCREDIBLE evenings of entertainment I have ever been fortunate enough to experience. 

Sir Paul came out to a packed-to-the-rafters crowd at Energy Solutions Arena - home of the Utah Jazz. Now mind you, I have been to many, MANY concerts featuring all kinds of music in all kinds of venues both intimate and cavernous for 50 years now since 1964.  And I have NEVER felt a buzz of anticipation and awe as we felt in the run-up to the show. 

When the lights finally went down, the place ERUPTED into a standing ovation. Before a single word had been spoken or a chord struck. 

Why?

It was obvious to the SRO crowd spanning FOUR generations (I confirmed this for myself looking around the crowd in awe all evening) that we were in the presence of greatness - no matter how you measure it. 

A transcendent moment. 

I told my Father today on the phone I seriously can't imagine being any more moved if I had been in a parlor listening to Beethoven play a concerto, or in the Sistine Chapel watching Michelangelo paint his masterpiece. Am I giving in to hyperbole here? I don't think so.

At 71, Sir Paul still has that boundless energy, boyish charm and playfulness that millions of people around the world were captivated by the first time they heard 'I Want To Hold Your Hand' or 'She Loves You' on the radio or watched the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan Show.

He and his band played non-stop for almost three full hours and had people dancing, rocking, laughing, singing along and even getting a little wistful and teary-eyed at times remembering another time, another place or perhaps another person. 

He obviously takes his job as one of the two remaining Beatles - the one who is still out there on the road 'Letting It Be' every year all around the world - seriously. He spoke lovingly and reverently about John and George and sang tributes to each of them. He was a masterful, consummate entertainer, engaging and rewarding the crowd after every song with comments, gestures, nuances, stories and even some cogent life lessons and advice. 

He took his pitcher and emptied it onto the crowd, pouring out every last ounce of energy and love he had to give. And we drank it up and tried to pour it back to him with our applause...screams....whistles and yes...even tears. 

For me, it was a night 58 years in the making. And was it worth ALL that waiting?

Yeah....yeah....YEAH !!!!