DEBI TIBBLES The Inspiring True Story of Ollie Tibbles: The Boy Who Became a Train When Debi Tibbles’s 4-year-old son, Ollie, was asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he answered, “I’m going to be a train!” At five, Ollie was diagnosed with an incurable form of brain cancer and sadly passed at the age of seven. A year later, at Union Station-Chicago, at Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Grand Ball where Debi was guest speaker, Ollie’s prediction and wish came true, making his early statement so very profound.
“It was never my intention to write a book,” says Debi. “I didn’t even know I could write.” She was inspired by Ollie, who visited her in a dream one night. He was singing about being a train and whispered, “I love you Mummy, always and forever. And you have to tell them.” She found while sitting at the computer, the words just fell onto the page, and the incredible journey began.
Debi never sought publication. The book started out as a journal she shared with family and friends that took on a domino effect touching lives of complete strangers, which eventually led to Medallion Press reaching out to her. She does not actively market the book as she feels it is a message to deliver to those who are suffering. “The book finds people who need it most, not by me pushing it, yet by others guiding them.” It can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or Goodreads. –Mindy Kyle, Features Writer
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