I had a very healing dream last night, and it gave me so much peace when I woke up this morning that I wanted to share it with you. In the dream, my son Ammon and I were out in a lush garden area, with overhanging trees and bushes. It was very peaceful and shady. Ammon was following behind me with a basket over his arm, full of bright orange carrots with their green tops hanging down over the edge of the basket. Ammon was being led along by me, unable to say much, as he acts currently (rather than his former self). He is a handsome and pure young man and it made a very pretty picture with him holding the basket of carrots in such a lovely place. And the words came to me, “Life is precious in all its states of awareness”.
That was a very comforting, sweet dream. I woke up very happy and grateful. I understood that no matter how much mental capacity Ammon has, his life is precious.
I have been struggling these past 4 months with discouragement and grief over the apparent lost future of my son and feelings of the senselessness of it all. The dream surrounded me with light and peace and ushered in the realization that Ammon’s life is a blessing, no matter how his recovery turns out. I have hope and pray fervently that he will be healed, but no matter what, I have peace.
Read more about my son Ammon here:
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I'd sure love to hear your comment!
Erin,
My heart truly goes out to you and your son. May God keep holding your hand. Thank you for the good advice.
Love,
Diane
My son had a stroke when he was two years old. This August 7th will be his 5th Survivor Day. We were fortunate to be able to have fundraisers to get money and get him 80 Hyperbaric Treatments. It made a huge difference in his personality and his neuro storming. He is still completely dependent on us for everything, is non-verbal for the most part, has two feeding tubes and is in a wheelchair but he's happy. His mind is functionally there he's just trapped in a body that won't work the way he wants it too. I cannot say enough good things about HBOT. I truly believe he would still be the screaming miserable little boy he was if he hadn't gotten that. I had a dream about being in a chamber with him before I had even heard or knew anything about it. When I first saw the chamber he would be in I was brought to tears by the realization of how this life is definitely not my plan but Heavenly Fathers plan. I know that your son just had stem cells and so it would probably not be a good idea to do HBOT for about a year but it definitely something you might want to look into in the future. Also another one that has been a huge help for my son has been to give him Serrapeptase. Other people started understanding his words after I gave him that. It's not just mumbling any more. Anyway sorry for the long message just wanted to share what's helped us and to tell you to hang in there. Brain injuries are a long road but there are so many amazing experiences while traveling that path. If you ever want to read our story we're at http://www.amundsenhouseofchaos.com
Hi Diane,
My heart and prayers are with you during this difficult time. I came across another blog today, and thought it might be of interest to you. The woman who writes the blog also has a child that received a brain injury, and has come a long way over the years. I pray it might give you even more hope.
http://www.theyallcallmemom.com/2011/02/looking-back.html
Hugs,
Rachel
I so love reading about your beloved son. I cannot say I understand what yall are going through, never having a child. Still I can say that I have empathy for yall and I say prayers for yall. No matter our lot in life we are blessed to live and experience it all. Ammon must be a very very special youngman to have such an experience put upon him. Perhaps his journey through life is one to teach others, sure seems to me he and you are doing that by sharing his experiences. I read the talk by Elder Bednar "The Attonement" I simply loved what he said about Nephi when he was tied up by his brothers, "Nephi did not pray to have his circumstances changed. Rather, he prayed for the strength to change his circumstances." God Bless Always.
What a peace-filled dream! Thanks for sharing. It inspired me with hope and faith!
What a beautiful dream!!
Diane, so many times, we forget the wondrousness that the gift of life is. You & your family's journey through Ammon's illness & recovery speaks powerfully of the love of family. You all remain in my prayers.
God bless.
Diane,
Thank you for sharing this. Isn't it wonderful to know that Heavenly Father is aware of us? He knows you, and He knows Ammon, and he loves you so much. I am glad that you had such a comforting dream and were able to remember it so clearly- such a 'tender mercy of the Lord'. You are all in our prayers.
Diane, I am thankful for the joy and wisdom God has given you to share with me and many others! You are a wonderful encouragement!
I read a book titled The Oxygen Revolution by Dr. Paul Harch and Virginia McCullough, while I was searching for answers for my father's Alzheimers. It was fascinating to read of his research using hyperbaric oxygen treatments (HBOT) to treat brain injuries/insults of many kinds. (www.hbot.com) Maybe this would be of interest to you for Ammon.
The eternal God is thy refuge and UNDERNEATH are the Everlasting Arms. Deuteronomy 33:27
Love and prayers, Lois
Oh Diane…what a beautiful dream! While my grief and disappointment in no way compare with what you and your family have experienced, I, too, have felt it and wondered at the senselessness of what has happened to Ammon. Your dream has brought sweet comfort and precious wisdom to my life. Thank you for sharing your journey with all of us.
What a sweet dream. I love when the Lord gives mothers little bits of refreshment like that.
We almost lost our son to a mystery illness last summer, when he was 11 yrs old. He went in to renal failure, and then cardiac arrest. He was on a vent for 2 days. The Lord performed a miracle! Not only did our son survive, but he has no brain damage, in spite of needing rescucitation for 10-12minutes. The Lord restored him completely!
I pray for a miracle for your son, as well! It is so scary to think of how close we both came to losing our sons!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful dream and message. It warmed my heart and brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for reminding us all of the things that matter most. Your family will continue to be in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Marsha
Maybe carrots can help. Just a thought. Thanks for sharing.
I'm so glad! What an insightful dream! I was thinking last night about how wonderful it is that Julianna may have a miracle because of this- but not just her, but all the generations that follow! I love your wisdom in all of your posts. I always look forward to reading them. Thanks for sharing.
God is doing wonderful and amazing things through you and your family!!!
He has a divine purpose for everything! Nothing is wasted, not a tear, nor your pain…It is all used to draw many to HIM and to glorify HIM. Only in heaven will you know how many lives GOD changed and touched through you! Thank you for your faithfulness.
With much Love,
Ilze
Oh Veronica, I have a glimpse of what you are feeling. Where would we be with out God? That power of prayer is the thing that sustains and comforts us. I will pray for you too.
Love,
Diane
P.S. I hug and kiss on him continually, but it is a good reminder that we somethings don't fully enjoy what we've got until we lose it.
I am glad to see how you are treasuring the gift of your son and his time with you as a blessing. I will be burying my 11 month old son this Monday. I am grateful for each day we were given with him and would have gladly accepted him with any brain injuries but test results showed no brain activity. Many are praying for us and we are being sustained by the wonderful connection of the power of prayer. Hug your son, I know you already do, but do it again anyway. You can never love too much.
Diane, you have no idea how much you touch my life. I appreciate you and your faith. My boys make "Diane's Whole Wheat Bread" several times a week–so we think of you constantly!! I am grateful that Heavenly Father gave you such a beautiful dream. With my last child–I was hospitalized for 80 days (could have gone around the world!!) not knowing if she'd survive the birth. In fact, one doctor felt it his duty to tell me all the things that could go wrong–so it might be better if the pregnancy "terminated" early so she wouldn't survive. But, Heavenly Father gave me peace in knowing that no matter what happened–it would be OK. If she lived or not–she was still our daughter and nothing could take that away. Long story short–all worked out well in the end and she's an absolutely priceless seven-year-old songbird who enriches our lives immensely. I am glad you have peace. That's the main battle. The rest will work itself out in Heavenly Father's time. Our prayers are with you and your beautiful son–whose phonics program brings my girls so much joy!
What a wonderful dream to have when you needed it so much. The Lord is over all. Sometimes His plans are different from ours, and this can be so hard to accept. Maybe this dream will help you with that. Your family is in my prayers.
Ammon's life is indeed a blessing. No matter what. Give your precious son a hug for me.
I felt the spirit as I read your account of your beautiful dream. How true that is. I hope that your family and Ammon will continue to be guided by the spirit as he makes recovery. God Bless…
I'm glad the Lord gave you a comforting dream. I wish you all the best and fervently pray for Ammon and your family.
Diane,
My heart goes out to you! I hope you are feeling all the prayers that are coming your way. Thank you for sharing your perspective (and homeschool helps!) They are so valuable and help me, at least, remember what is most important.