Another Sign From Heaven - Josh Neuman & The Northern Lights
Josh Neuman longboarding
Back in January, I shared some personal stories of signs I've received over the years---from departed loved ones offering comfort and reassurance, to signs from my guides, letting me know I am on path.
I believe that sharing these experiences are important because they give us hope. They renew our faith that we are not alone in this Universe, that our lives really do mean something, and that the people we love most are always with us.
This next story is a beautiful example of this.
Back in 2021, I decided I wanted to learn how to longboard. I always thought it looked like a cool thing to do, and it was so completely out of my comfort zone that I figured it'd be the perfect thing to add to my bucket list.
I bought my first longboard, and started watching videos on YouTube for inspiration. I soon came across this kid, his name was Josh Neuman. I watched video after video of him and his friends longboarding, high-speed, down these crazy and long winding highways in different parts of the world. In one particular video documenting his "fails", Josh showed footage of himself taking a fast spill on his board, then cut scene to him emerging from the hospital with his arm in a sling, and a huge grin on his face. Nothing was going to stop this guy from living his dream.
Josh inspired me immensely, and not just to learn how to longboard (let me reassure you, I have no intention of longboarding down a highway; longboarding to the end of the street is enough for me!), but to learn how to live life to the fullest, because that is clearly what Josh Neuman does. He is full of life, full of adventure, and I am just so captivated by him and the way he approaches life---fearlessly.
Not only is this kid able to make a living with his YouTube channel, but he's also charitable. After starting his first business when he was only 16, he created his own clothing line, with all proceeds going to build a water well in Uganda.
I looked forward to logging onto YouTube and seeing Josh Neuman's video updates in my news feed.
Then one day, in 2022, I came across his latest video, which was titled: "What It's All About" - A Memorial Tribute To The Beautiful Life of Josh Neuman.
"What???"
I quickly did an internet search and discovered that Josh Neuman, along with 3 other individuals who were part of his crew, had been recently killed when their airplane crashed into a lake in Iceland. He was only 22 years old.
I was shook. Complete and utter disbelief.
I then clicked his latest video, and watched the beautiful tribute to his life, tears streaming down my face. Josh's death hit me so much harder than I would have expected, but I knew it was because he was an incredible force of light in the world. His bright smile, his courage, his generosity were evident to all who watched him.
Not long after his passing, his parents created The Josh Neuman Foundation to continue his legacy and charity work. Their slogans, #LifeAGoodStory and #LiveLikeJosh are a call to action, a way for each of us to remember to live life to the fullest, like Josh did during his brief time on Earth.
I cannot imagine what it must be like as a parent to lose a child, especially at such a young age. Without even knowing them, I worried for Josh's parents, about how they were navigating their unimaginable grief.
I now follow The Josh Neuman Foundation on Instagram, and always look forward to hearing updates on the work they are doing in the community to keep his memory and his legacy alive.
Then, on February 3rd, 2024, his parents shared a post that I immediately knew would have to make it's way to this newsletter. I'll repost their story in their own words below:
The Story of the Northern Lights
shared via Instagram
"The number one thing on Josh’s bucket list was to see the Northern Lights which he finally did 2 nights before his death. The picture of him standing on the jeep with his hands raised in the air has become an iconic last memory of him. But that was not the end of his story as it related to the Aurora Borealis.
For those of you that don’t know, Josh’s plane went into Lake Pingvallavatn on Feb 3rd, 2022. But is was a full week later before his body could be retrieved from the water. It was a grueling week for our entire family. The logistics surrounding the recovery of all the bodies required the assistance of the military and many volunteers in Iceland whom we will forever be grateful. On the day of the recovery, the weather turned out to be much worse than expected but it was the last chance for the recovery based on the extended forecast.
With snowy conditions, the team began the retrieval process. Josh’s body was the last one to be recovered as it was the furthest from the plane. This is the account of what happened from an eye witness :
'There were extreme weather conditions on that day, very cold and a snow storm. I know it is unbelievable, but on the exact moment when the body emerged from the water, the storm suddenly let up and, in the sky above us, we could see one of the most amazing northern lights dance I have ever seen. Then we took him to the shore and I swear the exact same thing happened when we moved the body out of the bag and into the car'.
We heard this account from multiple people who had been at the lake that evening. We share this now because of how this has encouraged us in our faith in God, his presence, and the different ways he may communicate. We believe that this was his way of saying, 'It’s OK, I have him now.'
We pray it encourages you as well.
James 1:17
#liveagoodstory
#livelikejosh "
This story of Josh and the Northern Lights inspires me and gives me hope because it shows that, even if the absolute worst thing that one could imagine comes to pass, we will never be left alone in our suffering.
I am comforted in learning that Josh's parents' faith was renewed with this beautiful miracle. Sharing our stories and the signs we witness reminds us that miracles are always around us, even during our darkest moments.
All we have to do is look around, and keep our hearts open ❤️
