I spent more than half that night at our son’s side. Only when exhaustion took over did I give in to sleep. I finally relented and slept on the couch in the family’s room for a short time. Early the next morning, I went back into Brant’s room, re­suming my place in the rocking chair one of the hospital staff had brought in for me.

I had a very calm feeling come over me as I picked up his tiny hand. I leaned my head toward the bed and put the palm of his hand flat upon my right cheek. I put my hand over the top of his, on my face and closed my eyes. That was the closest I could get to loving and nurturing my baby.

The hospital was so quiet at this early hour, and a very serene feeling prevailed. The sun was just beginning to come in through the frosted window of his room. It wasn’t until after the following experience hap­pened that I realized I had been somewhere else. I was actually in a dif­ferent realm for a time. My body was still in the hospital holding Brant’s hand on my face, but in my mind’s eye, I was in some other place.

That which I am about to share is very sacred to me. In fact, I would hesi­tate sharing it at all because of those who might question or doubt, but for those who are willing to receive it through the spirit, they will know of its veracity. It was as real an experience as any physical experience I have ever had. It is for those that are in need of hearing it that I am willing to share this very special pearl in my life.

Whether I was in my body or out, I’m not sure. However, I know I was sitting in the same rocking chair, but I was some place other than the hos­pital, or at least the surroundings were different. I was sitting with Brant’s palm against my cheek; my eyes were closed; my elbows were on the side rail of the bed; and my head was slightly bowed.

In an instant, I was in a differ­ent realm. It was dark all around me. I didn’t know where I was, nor did it matter to me. I just noticed it was dark, and the best way to explain it would be that it seemed without space. I was aware I was still in the rocking chair from the hospital, but I was sitting up, resting against the back of the chair with my hands in my lap.

A handsome young man dressed in a dark blue suit came toward me. He walked around the back side of me from left to right and stood facing me on my right side. He was standing at the side of the little body on the hospital bed facing me. He said, “Mom.” I knew at once it was Brant. He was in his adult spirit. I recog­nized and knew him. I didn’t notice the details of his face then but have since been giv­en the vision of those details.

As I turned my head and looked up at him, I said, “Brant, I don’t want you to go!”

He replied calmly and gently, yet in a very matter-of-fact attitude, “I know, and I’m willing to stay, but you need to understand it’s not up to us. It’s up to our Heavenly Father.”

“I know.” The interesting thing here was that I said, “I know,” but I had not really thought about that. As soon as the words were out of my mouth, I felt surprised I said what I did, and with such conviction, when it never had entered my mind that this was my Father in Heaven’s decision—not mine.

As quickly as I’d entered this realm and had this experience, I was back. I felt a wave of shock come over me. I opened my eyes to see where I was. I lifted my head and looked around, surprised to find myself with my little son in the hospital room.

I was so filled with the Spirit, I felt as if my heart would explode. I immediately jumped to my feet and went to find my husband. I knew what had just happened was a very special gift of the Spirit. I had heard of special out of body experiences that other people had received, but I never expected such a rare and sacred event for myself. I knew my son had been sent to give me a message.

As quickly as I’d entered this realm and had this experience, I was back. I felt a wave of shock come over me. I opened my eyes to see where I was. I lifted my head and looked around, surprised to find myself with my little son in the hospital room.

I was so filled with the Spirit, I felt as if my heart would explode. I immediately jumped to my feet and went to find my husband. I knew what had just happened was a very special gift of the Spirit. I had heard of special out of body experiences that other people had received, but I never expected such a rare and sacred event for myself. I knew my son had been sent to give me a message.

Lori Wood 2010