THE jPod


Wednesday, October 21

AN ANGEL BY MY BEDSIDE

I’ve been going through many trails and under a lot of stress these days, one of them being my surgery. I found myself turning to my heavenly father to find my strength again. There are many distractions in life and when things get overwhelming I stop and reflect… to find what is truly important again. I have always been able to turn to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to ground myself and find my footing again. I’ve been witness and apart of the many blessings and miracles within the church. The community alone is no stranger… everyone is family. The past couple of months I’ve been really turning to the church for guidance, support and comfort. I’ve even attended sacrament the last two Sundays. ☺

Early morning on the 20th as Jeb and I wait in the lobby to be shown back to my room before surgery, emotions rise to the surface and time ticks by slowly. Our pager finally goes off and we are greeted by a lovely woman with a warm smile and shown back to my room. As she looks over my information she is struck by something and asks me if I grew up in town. I answer her with a yes and tell her the high school I attended. She asks me if I know who Amber Nelson is. I felt the spirit rush over me… and smiled with a yes.

I’m certain that everyone whom attended high school with me knew Amber. She was truly an Angel sent from heaven and was one of the most pure at heart spirits I’ve ever met. At that moment all my memories of her flooded my head, filling it with joy and love. Her time with us here was short, yet she brought to us all teachings that will last a lifetime. My first memory of Amber was on the bus headed to seminary (we bused over to the Sunset building before Westview had their own). She hopped on the bus with a big smile wearing her cheer uniform and asked me my name; she knew my older brother and I instantly became “the little sister” (her little sister too). Amber held a service at the church to give her testimony of the church and many attended to give their love, support and to say goodbye (or until we meet again). My brother and I attended her service together. As we took our turn to hug her and tell her how much she meant to us… she (whom was losing her hair in her fight against cancer) looked up at my brother (whom had been losing his hair since he was 16) and said to him with a smile “I still have more hair then you”. Funny girl she was. I still carry with me the Book of Mormon handed out at Amber’s service with her testimony inside.

The woman whom brought me back to my room with a warm smile and asked me if I knew Amber was Janice, Amber’s mother. I felt I couldn’t be in better hands. Before she left my room she gave me a big squeeze filled with joy and love, then shortly returned to my room with a small bear and around his leg a hospital tag read “I heart Jayme”. Janice told me not to feed him for he was stuffed (I see where Amber’s sense of humor, warm smile and caring spirit came from).


I feel very blessed to have the most amazing, selfless, caring people in my life. I had the greatest team of people taking care of me. I felt safe and comforted at all times. My parents and Jeb stayed by my bedside. My surgeon was one of the most caring doctors I’ve met and handsome (meds talking ;) and ALL the nurses and staff were genuine and loving.

Most importantly… I had an angel by my bedside. The hospital is a big place and I don’t believe it to be a coincidence that I was to meet Amber’s mother the day of my surgery. May I always carry Amber’s spirit in my heart.

6 comments:

Nichole aka Fawn said...

This is a beautiful story. It brought goose bumps to my skin and made my heart jump. I hope you are healing well after your surgery. Thinking of. <3

Annette said...

I'm so glad that everything went well and you are doing good! I love you and was thinking about you all that day. Hope I can come see you soon. I think by Friday I will be well! Love you tons

Carrie said...

I love that. I don't think it was coincidental either. I only had one or two encounters with Amber and those couple of times were definitely full of spirit. It's funny how those things happen. I am relieved that you were in such good hands, and that those hands made sure you came back to us safe and sound. I love you Jaym!

Cute bear ;)

Patrick and Paige said...

I am totally crying as I sit here remembering Amber. She was so special to me and I miss her so much. Her passing was very hard on me and I will always remember the year at camp a couple of months after her death that we all stood in a candle light vigil and sang Keeper of the flame. What a powerful night that was and I will always think of Amber when I hear that song. I am so glad that you are turning to the church and our heavenly father. I am so proud of you. Thank you for your story and I hope your recovery is speedy. Love you tons.

nvertin said...

Jayme, Thank you for sharing a wonderful and sweet story. I am glad you are doing better. You are a wonderful friend. I am so lucky to have met you! :~)

A LDS mother to five busy kids said...

Jayme,
This post really touched me. It flooded my mind with memories of being 16, camp, amber, the spirit she brough to us all. She was an amazing women who reached out and gave us something special, her testimony. She left us this legacy that many of us still remember to this day. I think it was meant to be that you met her mom that day. The lord works in mysterious ways. Take care!

Rachel