It was a lot like the Bahamas, only better. You know what I mean?

When Heather's segment aired on WOOD TV 8, Tim was a patient at Spectrum's Rehab and Nursing Center on Kalamazoo Ave. in GR. A fellow patient recognized Tim from the segment which had recently aired, and he introduced himself. He said, "I just have to shake your hand and tell you how happy I am for you that you are alive." Tim was happy to meet a pleasant patient. As they talked together, he went on to tell us his story.

Complications from an infected tooth/crown had landed him to the ICU.

Before he woke up in the ICU, he remembers dreaming, and he shared his dream with us.

He descibed, "It was such a beautiful dream. I was on a beach. It was gorgeous. It was a lot like the Bahamas, only better." He stopped. "You know what I mean?"

Tim and I smiled and looked at each other. Tim answered, "Go on."

"I saw my coffin. It was floating, drifting in the ocean, right past me. It was a beautiful mohagany coffin, and it was mine! I said, 'Lord! What are you doing here? What's going on? Are you playing some sort of trick on me? Is this it? Am I going to die? Is this Heaven?' That's when I heard my wife saying, 'Wake up, Marvin! Wake up!' I started coming to, and I realized I had tubes running down my chest. I ripped them out and tried so hard to get out of bed, but I couldn't. Eventually, I became well enough to be able to come here."

He explained that he had already been home, but he did too much too soon, He ended up struggling at home and ended up back at the rehab/nursing center. He told Tim, "Don't push it when you get home. After you leave here, you be careful at home so you can stay home and get well."

We said our goodbyes, and he went on his way, returning to him room.

Family and friends who have been near death have described dreams like these to us before. We have read and heard about these types of stories in many people's lives. It was inspiring to hear Marvin's story.

We continue to pray for Marvin, as well as the dozens of others who God brought to our lives through this time. May God be glorified.

We look forward to sharing more stories of our time away with you, as time goes on and allows.