God's Special Gift

 

I would like to dedicate this page and book to my husband, Jerry, thanking him for his love and encouragement during difficult months of writing. I also wish to dedicate Jeffrey's story to two very dear friends, Faye and Terry Ward, whose friendship is one of the most presious gifts God has given me. As well, I must include a very sincere thank you to another good friend, David Downing, for his assistance in proofreading my manuscript and being so very kind and helpful to me.


'God's Special Gift' is the story of a courageous eight year old little boy's battle with cancer as told from a mother's heart. Jeffrey's mom, Joan, wrote this story from a journal she had kept during his fifteen month illness and subsequent death. This book has been shared with many, many people throughout the world. Now, eighteen years later, Jeffrey's sixteen year old brother, Jonathan, who was born after the book was written, has put 'God's Special Gift' on the internet as a Mother's Day gift to his mom. There are many pictures as well as some of Jeffrey's art work throughout the text of the book which makes for more personal and interesting reading. This book will touch your heart as you sense how a very negative situation was turned into something positive in the lives of this entire family. Jeffrey truly was a very 'special gift' and his memory will forever be alive to those who loved him so much.

It is hope of this family that for those who read this story, it will prove helpful to someone who has lost, or is in the process of losing someone they love with a terminal illness. Life can be very difficult, but without a doubt there is one who is always there to comfort in time of trouble. Our Heavenly Father never leaves or forsakes us -- all we have to do is call out to Him and trust Him to meet our every need.

May God bless each person who visits this site.


If anyone had told me two years ago that I, Joan McMillan, happily married mother of two busy, healthy little boys would be writing a book, I would never have believed them. However, God does work in mysterious ways, and this book is something I have felt compelled to share with others.

Our Heavenly Father gave to our home a very special gift that we were allowed to keep for over eight beautiful years, and during this span of time, He was to speak to our hearts of His great love. The contents of this book comes from a mother's heart -- a mother who has been changed by what has taken place in the lives of her family.

I have prayed for guidance daily as my pen moves across the pages, and pray that in some small way, this story may reach out to others who might have to go through similar circumstances.

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart;

and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him,

and He shall direct thy paths."

-- Proverbs 3: 5-6


The Book is now on-line! Just choose the chapter you want below to read the book. The easiest way to navigate the site is to use our chapter navigator. To start the chapter click on the button below.

You may also download the text-only versions of the book in these forms:

 

 

 
© Joan McMillan #297587
This page was created April 21st 1997.
It is maintained by:
Jonathan McMillan and Joan McMillan