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Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Visit Tyndale’s exciting Web site at www.tyndale.com.TYNDALE and Tyndale’s quill logo are registered trademarks of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven: A Remarkable Account of Miracles, Angels, and Life beyond This WorldCopyright © 2010 by Kevin Malarkey. All rights reserved.Front cover illustration of wings copyright © Michael Knight/iStockphoto. All rights reserved.Front cover illustration of wheelchair copyright © Stockbyte/Photolibrary. All rights reserved.Chapter opener photos of feather copyright © PLAINVIEW/iStockphoto. All rights reserved.Insert reprint of newspaper article and accompanying photograph copyright © 2004 Bellefontaine Examiner. All rights reserved.Insert photo of cars after crash obtained from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office.Interior photo of helicopter copyright © MedFlight. All rights reserved.Interior photos of ambulance, welcome home signs, Alex in chair with tubes copyright © Chip Wall. All rights reserved.Interior photos of road and van license plate by Stephen Vosloo, copyright © by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.Interior illustration of Alex surrounded by angels copyright © Melissa Roberts. All rights reserved.Interior still frames from Channel 5 Groundbreaking Surgery story used with permission of WEWS/Cleveland and copyright © by Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved.Interior X-ray of neck copyright © Nationwide Children’s Hospital. All rights reserved.All other interior photos are from the Malarkey family collection and are reprinted with permission.Author photos by Stephen Vosloo, copyright © by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.Designed by Stephen VoslooPublished in association with the Loyal Arts Literary Agency.Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version.Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication DataMalarkey, Kevin.The boy who came back from heaven : a remarkable account of miracles, angels, and life beyond this world / Kevin and Alex Malarkey.p. cm.ISBN 978-1-4143-3606-0 (hc)1. Near-death experiences—Religious aspects—Christianity. 2. Malarkey, Alex. 3. Heaven—Christianity. 4. Future life—Christianity. I. Malarkey, Alex. II. Title. BT833.M35 2010236'.1092—dc22[B] 2010018732
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: At the Crossroads
Chapter 2: Three Journeys
Chapter 3: 72 Hours
Chapter 4: An Army Gathers
Chapter 5: Miracles, Messes, and More Miracles
Chapter 6: We Meet Another World
Chapter 7: Homecomings
Chapter 8: War and Peace
Chapter 9: Endings and Beginnings
Chapter 10: The Road Ahead
Afterword: Questions and Answers with Alex
Scripture Appendix
Photo Insert
Taken two weeks before the accident, this is the last picture of Gracie, Aaron, and Alex all together and healthy. Sometimes I have a hard time remembering what it was like when Alex could walk. In those moments, I look at this picture.
This would not be the last time Alex was like Superman. Several years later he would have the “Christopher Reeve surgery.”
On the sceneOne of the worst moments of my life was getting into this ambulance while Alex was taking off in the chopper. I couldn’t believe I had to be separated from my injured son.
This photo shows the deadly illusion of this road—it appeared wide open, but a hidden dip concealed the approaching car. I never saw it coming.
RecoveryStill in a coma, Alex sits in his wheelchair while wearing a back brace. (You can see “Doggie,” Alex’s favorite stuffed companion, sitting on his lap. Doggie has been through many surgeries with Alex and has even ridden in the ambulance.)
Christmas Day 2004—our family was together for the first time in almost six weeks. Although we didn’t know what would happen to Alex, we were so grateful he was still with us that we couldn’t help but rejoice.
This is the painting described in chapter 6. A friend had a vision of three angels hovering over Alex. Weeks later, we found that another woman (a complete stranger to the first) had painted this picture at the same time.
Coming homeI still tear up when I look at this picture. It was the first time I was able to finally hold Alex in my arms again. A very, very good day.
[Above and below:] Friends surprised us by decorating our home for Alex’s arrival. He came home joyfully with a nurse, a respiratory therapist, two EMTs, and two nervous parents . . . but he would go back to the hospital only days later.
Our license plate speaks for itself. Alex believes he will walk again—and so do I.
Our new normal[Above and below:] To keep his body in motion, Alex walks in his Hoyer lift, he goes on the treadmill, he even goes swimming. He is totally fearless.
[Above and below:] Whether it’s a sleepover in the church gym or football practice with our hero, Coach Jim Tressel, it takes many volunteers, many vehicles, and many hours to get Alex anywhere—but he’s unquestionably worth it.
Alex getting fitted for his wheelchair, which he could operate himself by moving his chin.
Making historyIn 2009, Alex made international news as the first child ever to undergo the surgery made famous by actor Christopher Reeve.
Straight aheadFor Beth and me, our kids—Aaron, Alex, Gracie, and Ryan—are the joy of our life. Maybe this isn’t your traditional family photo, but it’s full of happiness and love. Please don’t feel bad for us . . . because we don’t.
Chapter 34
Notes
Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter 1: At the CrossroadsChapter 2: Three JourneysChapter 3: 72 HoursChapter 4: An Army GathersChapter 5: Miracles, Messes, and More MiraclesChapter 6: We Meet Another WorldChapter 7: HomecomingsChapter 8: War and PeaceChapter 9: Endings and BeginningsChapter 10: The Road AheadAfterword: Questions and Answers with AlexScripture AppendixPhoto InsertNotes
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