Saturday on the way to Olivia's basketball game, she told Tim (my husband) that she had had a dream and that in it Nick was sitting on the backboard of the basketball hoop.
She played with all of her life in both of her games Saturday, scoring 12 points in one game and 8 in the other as well as having many assists and rebounds! I just know she was seeing Nick on the backboard cheering her on.
When I got home Saturday night from being gone all day, I sat with Olivia to watch Polar Express. As we were watching it, I asked her about her dream. I said, "Did Nick look happy?"
Very matter of factly, Olivia began to speak. She said, "Yes, he was smiling. Actually, he was laughing. He was wearing a robe. It wasn't really white...........it was kind-of creamish. And he had wings. Oh, and his head was normal size."
Later in the movie, I asked her again if she felt good about seeing Nick.
She simply looked at me, and said, "Yes....he was glowing."
And then returned her attention to the movie.
I sat there with tears in my eyes. My little girl had comforted me so much.
Oh, to have the faith of a child. She was so "at peace" with the dream, so confident she had seen Nick.
And you know what, I truly believe she did!
The devil doesn't want Olivia to have peace and joy about Nick's death. And he certainly doesn't want her to feel that there is a Heaven. Of course, he would like to see Olivia crying all the time, quitting sports, and just throwing in the towel on life.
To the devil, I say,
"I don't think so. Get behind us, satan. We believe in the God of Resurrection!"
I have to add, though, that Tim is having a difficut time right now. He just cried and cried tonight. This was the real "first" day of football without Nick, and oh, how Tim missed his company.
Please whisper a prayer for my husband.
And thank God for Olivia's dream!!
15 Comments:
oh Tammy, how beautiful. I truly believe she did see him and what peace she can now feel, seeing him happy and without cancer. You're still in my daily prayers. Love you so much. Dana
Tammy ~ I will lift Tim up in prayer tonight. I saw Tim's parents at church this morning but did not get a chance to talk to them.
I loved Olivia's dream. I know the God we serve came to comfort her in a dream. She has peace about Nick!
I am glad we serve a God of comfort.
Praying for you and your family today.
Love and Peace ~Deborah Peterson
Tammy,
What a wonderful dream Olivia had. I know it made her feel better.
Tim, Please know that you are my thoughts and prayers as well as your entire family. You and Tammy are amazing and I will always hold you close to my heart....Always
What an awesome picture God gave Olivia! It's always so cool to me how He meets us right where we need Him and He provides exactly what we need!!
I pray that God will also meet Tim right where he needs Him the most. I pray that He will give each one of you the grace and peace that you need in the exact moment you need it.
Continuing to lift you up in prayer...
Bonnelle
I don't know your family, but I've read about your son in the newspaper, and his story is truly inspiring. I discovered this blog sort of by accident, and I just can't stop reading it. I have sons of my own, and I can't imagine going through what you have. I have not been a Christian for very long, and there are times when I really struggle with my faith and when life gets in the way of really LIVING the way God wants me to. Your son's story, and reading about how you and your family, not to mention Nick himself, just tackled this head on, and stayed so full of life, full of hope, and seeming to never doubt or never waver in your faith. It is truly an inspiration to me, and I know that when I am struggling with some of those day to day things (that so often seem so much bigger than they are) I will think of your baby and what his life was really all about.
I try to thank God for every blessing in my life, and hearing your story and learning so many things from it...I'll definitely thank Him for that.
You are so brave to share your story. Please know that it is touching the lives of so many people, whether you know them or not. God bless all of you!
I continue to pray for You, Jim and your entire family as you learn to live life without Nick...
You are such a blessing to so many people with your blog!!!
oooohhhh God is so good to give Olivia this "vision" in her dream. Just allowing her to have a restful sleep would be generous enough but he goes further than we can imagine and gives her just a glimpse of Nick in heaven--just amazing!!!
I think and pray for your family often and will continue to do so. Praying for strength for all of you to face each new day-especially Tim at this time.
hugs,
Kim
What a beautiful image Olivia has of Nick. So glad that she shared it with you so you can vision him in the same way...he is glowing! How profound is that!!
Man I love God.
Oh how amazing and loving our GOD is! I tuly believe with you, that GOD gave Olivia a glimpse of what is to come for all of us. I truly believe that your Nick is at the feet of Jesus, surrounded by JOY.
GOD is so good to give us assurance and hope that we will ALL be reunited with our loved ones. What a glorious day that will be!
Still, my heart breaks for you all, in missing Nick. This part is so hard, adjusting. I pray for your husband that GOD will continue to comfort him and assure him of HIS awesome love. I pray for you, that GOD will bless you abundantly with comfort and joy, keeping Nick's memories close to your heart and soul. Thank you for sharing this part of your journey with us. I learn so much from your words.
Tammy,
Praying for God to lift you up and to help Olivia to cherish her dream.
Love You
Brenda
I truly believe that she saw him...No doubt in my mind!! I think of you guys daily! I am so grateful for your website!! Please give my love to Tim and know that I am praying for you all daily!!!!
Tammy...there is no doubt in my mind of what Olivia saw! Please know that I continually pray for you, Tim and the kids! Please give my love to Tim and I pray for comfort and peace to surround him. You guys are amazing to me and I appreciate your blog more than you will ever know! Much love and blessings!
Tammy, what a precious dream God gave your little Olivia! He truly is the God of comfort! And I'm thankful Olivia comforted you.
I have been and will continue to pray for your family, especially Tim right now. When I read about it being the first official day of football without Nick, my heart broke for your husband and for all of you. My husband would respond just as Tim did and for the very same reasons.
Please KNOW that your life and your vulnerability shines forth the light of Christ. You are in my prayers continually! Though we don't know each other, you have deeply touched my life.
Wow, very precious, Tammy. What comfort to both you and Olivia. Again...a treasure from God, huh?
Love you,
Paula
Tammy,
I am praying for all of your family during these first difficult days without Nick. It is wonderful how God comforts us when we need it, through Scripture or through dreams, or even other people. As a matter of fact, I thought of your entire family Sunday at Mass, as the first reading was about comfort--"Comfort, give comfort to my people, says your God....A voice cries out; in the desert prepare the way of the Lord! Make straight in the wasteland a highway for our God! Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill shall be made low; the rugged land shall be made a plain, the rough country, a broad valley. Then the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all the people shall see it together." Is40:1-5, 9-11
Then, today during Mass the second reading again had me thinking of your family, what you're going through and how you so eloquently write about your faith in God. The reading (Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12) ..... "In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of his will, so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first hoped in Christ."
Keeping Tim and your whole family in our prayers.
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