Neal Pylant - A Touch From Heaven: A Little Boys Story of Surgery, Heaven and Healing

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Many have asked me, Why did you wait so long to write this book? With each attempt to write the story, the doors of opportunity closed, oftentimes abruptly. And I came to realize who was closing those doors. As it was with the battle for Christophers life, our prayers were answered in Gods timing, not our own.

My deepest gratitude goes to all who lovingly supported Carole, Christopher, and me during our time of need and to those who encouraged and assisted me in writing our story.

To Larry Keefauver and Maureen Haner, many thanks for believing in our story and assisting me in the development of this manuscript.

To Ronda Ranalli, Acquisition Managing Editor with Destiny Image, who accepted this project, a mere thanks seems inadequate in light of your kindness, your willingness to listen, and your professionalism in guiding me, step by step, through the publishing process. For this I will be forever grateful.

Thanks to Destiny Image Publishers for giving me, a first-time author, the opportunity to share this extraordinary story with the world and to the team who worked diligently to produce such a beautiful book: Terri Meckes, Project Manager; Dominique Abney, Art Director; Darren Rettburg, for text layout; and Trena Oyler, Author Marketing Consultant, who helped me promote my book.

I want to especially express my heartfelt love and appreciation to my wonderful wife, Carole, for her support and encouragement and for her contribution in writing the manuscript. A special thanks to my son and co-author, Christopher, for sharing some of the most personal aspects of his life.

Last, but never least, I give all praise and honor to God, from whom all life is given. If we had not received a touch from heaven, this story would have never been told.

SEIZE THE DAY

by Christopher ONeal Pylant

Breathing, existing, living,

Life is a mystery as well as a journey.

Quickly go the years.

We wish for more happiness then tears.

Time marches on.

Enjoy your life, for it is quickly fading.

Dont be afraid to take risks, pursue love,
and treasure family and friends.

Cause everything else is vanity in the end.

Take time to sing and feel your soul soar.

Learn to dance above your problems.

Always smile to brighten someones day.

Drink in the moments that take your breath away.

Wrap yourself in awe, at the beauty of a sunset.

Slow down and smell the roses.

Life has a sweet nectar all its own.

Life is beautiful.

There is a rhythm to life.

If you listen closely, you will hear a song inside you.

A legacy awaits you, so dream.

Dream big!

Share your song with the world.

Dont be afraid to be different.

Your uniqueness is beautiful.

Be generous and kind to everybody.

Share the love you have with all.

Live each day as if it is your last.

I have said all this to say

Seize the day!

TIME

by Christopher ONeal Pylant

Time is the enemy of humanity.

Time is the one thing no one can control.

Time slips away without any remorse.

Time does not play favorites.

Young and old, rich and poor

Each future is held in the hands

of an unmerciful foe.

When you are young, there is no conception of time

How unaware we stumble upon the

numbers that will fill our days.

There is a time for everything.

A time to dance, a time to laugh, a time to love

Beware, time stands still for no one.

Time marches on and we must move with it.

No chance to breathe or slow down.

Make the most of the time youve been given.

Live life without regret.

During the early stages of writing our story, I had a telephone conversation with Dr. Carson. He said to me, When I first met you all, I was an unknown. The success we experienced with Christophers case encouraged me to tackle other radical surgeries such as a hemispherectomy, a surgical procedure to remove half of the brain. He continued, But dont forget, if it had not been for your tremendous faith in God, that He was going to heal your son, I would have never agreed to try anything more because it looked so hopeless. He stated that many lives had been changed because of this miraculous occurrence; not only changes in his life and work, but also in the life of a colleague who never believed in God at all.

In Dr. Carsons bestseller, Think Big: Unleashing Your Potential for Excellence, he writes about a doctor who was working with him as a neuro-oncologist. The young doctor said to him, Ive been an atheist for a long time, or maybe I just did not see any need for God. But the Christopher Pylant incident has changed my thinking. The faith of those parents and the result with their son has had a profound effect on me. Theres got to be something to religion, he added, in fact, more than this, honestly, this has made me a believer.

Several times during the first year of Christophers recovery, this young doctor called to check on Christophers progress. He would say, Mr. Pylant, you know that man could have done nothing to help your son. You must thank the Man (God) upstairs. How beautiful it is to know how this miracle has affected so many lives. Not only did the Lord give us back our son, but also a non-believer came to acknowledge God.

Carole, a Jewish mother, received her Messiah. I, a back-slidden Christian, rededicated my life to Jesus. A brilliant young doctor named Ben Carson recognized even more the awesome presence of God in his life and work, encouraging him to proceed with more radical surgical techniques.

I asked Dr. Carson if he could provide me statistics on the number of people who might have survived a brain stem astrosytoma stage four cancer, as Christopher had. His reply was, To my knowledge, there is none, implying that Christopher is perhaps the lone survivor.

Victorious over death!

To God be the glory!

PROPHETIC WORDS SPOKEN
OVER CHRISTOPHER,
NEAL, AND CAROLE

FOR CHRISTOPHER AT AGE 5
NOVEMBER 14, 1985

• Youre a very special young man and it was ordained that you be born. It was not something people thought would happen. He chose Mommy and Daddy for you and He wants them to raise you and train you up for His purpose.
• You are going to walk with Him.
• Someday you will talk into a microphone, telling a lot of people about Jesus. Many will be saved and some will even be healed.
• God has given you a tender heart and a good mind.
• My son, Ive put a great and special call on your life. Im calling you to be a Davidic man. You will have a heart like David and be a leader, a ruler, and a warrior for Me.
• No one shall have their hands on you because I have put your feet on the path. Ive set this path for you so be strong and single-minded.
• Do not be entangled with the world but be strong for Me.
• You shall lead many into higher realms.
• You shall have a special kind of wisdom.
• You are Gods man in a little boys body.
• Your heart cries a lot right now because your body has been so sick, but you wont feel that kind of pain for long. God feels pain for the world and so will you.
• You are gentle and tender as you walk among the crowds, leading people in love.