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.