After appearing to have had a stroke, nineteen-year-old Grant Galvin has been approved for the Tampa General Hospital's Rehabilitation Center. But no sooner is he gazing out over the sparkling river when he has a heart attack. Mom, the ex-husband, and the boyfriend find themselves in ICU on a diagnostic merry-go-round with baffling symptoms spinning out of control. Buckle up, Buttercup. This is one crazy ride. As a student of the world with a mischievous, curious nature, Grant pushes the envelope at every turn leaving trouble and laughter in his wake. "Don't hide in a port-a-potty, don't blindly swing and ask questions later, don't take a drink meant for someone else, and for God's sake, if you take something to examine it, don't return to the scene of the crime to put it back!" Grant's self-effacing and loyal tendencies enable him to develop special bonds with everyone he meets. But when he attacks his friends the night before his birthday, it's like watching a train derail - straight into a hospital. Spend some time in Grant's world of supernatural happenings, spiritual connections, and maniacal medical men. You'll laugh, you'll cry, be stunned, shocked, angry, and in the end, you'll be glad you came along. "Grace for Grant: A Journey with an Old Soul is a heartbreaking yet uplifting chronicle of one family's five-month sojourn told by Grant's mother, Jacquie. Her deep love and refusal to give up on her only child had me cheering even through my tears. I laughed, cried, and was inspired by the days of hope, and finally the day of despair she shared with her enormous following. The grace and courage of Grant and Jacquie taught us there is hope and there is life after loss." -- Kathy Perry, Speaker, Author & Consultant " I read this explosive account in one day. I couldn't put it down. Each chapter ended with me praying for a miracle with the rest of the world. The author uses words succinctly and directly, which demonstrates her tenacity and devotion to her child. The emotion is real, as only a mother can write. The book is an inspiration and shows that where there's love, there is hope...and where there's hope, there's life. A definite 'must read.'" -- Eric Gnezda, MFA, Founder, Songs at the Center (on PBS) " I like to call this Grant, Mom and Dad, and the return of Mark - a journey through an all-too-brief life, with many trials and errors of a very young man, a frustrating and heart-wrenching medical mystery that ultimately leads to Grant's death. Grant left behind an ever-mischievous and beautiful spirit of healing, opening doors to next chapters for us all. Jacquie shows us all how to stand tall, fight back and never give up hope. An inspiration for any family, not just those facing illness." -- Daphne Taylor Street, Freelance Writer and Editor The quick life and death of my son Grant was written in just eighty-five days. I felt him pushing me the entire time since this was his last wish. It was an eye-opening, cathartic experience that to my surprise, has helped many others with their grief and healing. This is a byproduct I did not anticipate. I am happy that this sojourn has touched and helped those who thought they were lost to grief. Grant has taught us all how to live and die - with amazing grace. Grace for Grant: A Journey with an Old Soul by Jacqueline Farthing Galvin From the author of A Tease of Murder, Grace for Grant: A Journey with an Old Soul is a real life mystery with almost as many twists and turns. The phrase "truth is stranger than fiction" has never been more fitting. "Mom, I think I've had a stroke." This from Jacquie's nineteen-year-old son upon walking in the door one Friday evening. When a paralyzed vocal cord is discovered at the ER, the doctor guesses stroke, MS or a brain stem tumor. Grant is approved for Tampa General's Rehabilitation Center, but no sooner is he gazing out over the sparkling river when he has a heart attack. Jacquie, her boyfriend Mark, and her ex-husband Ray, find themselves in ICU on a diagnostic merry-go-round with baffling symptoms spinning out of control. Buckle up, Buttercup. This is one crazy ride. As a student of the world with a mischievous, curious nature, Grant pushes the envelope at every turn leaving trouble and laughter in his wake. "Don't hide in a port-a-potty, don't blindly swing and ask questions later, don't take a drink meant for someone else, and for God's sake, if you steal something, don't return to the scene of the crime to put it back." Grant's self-effacing and loyal tendencies enable him to develop special bonds with everyone he meets. But when he attacks his friends the night before his nineteenth birthday, it's like watching a train derail - straight into a hospital. With Grant's only means of communication being an alphabet spell sheet, we grow a large set of rocks to deal with what will come next. Scans, strokes and surgeries offer no information and the mystery diagnosis wheel spins back to the drawing board. The