Donna Baird's Validation Story with her son, Patrick and her Daughter, Jessica, through Mark Anthony
Posted
-
- Aug
- 8
- 2026
by Elizabeth Boisson
Mark Anthony's Reading Was Such a Blessing
On August 4, 2026, I spotted an email invitation from Helping Parents Heal for a Zoom meeting where psychic attorney Mark Anthony would be doing gallery readings at 5:00 p.m. It was already 4:50 p.m. when I found the invitation. In the past, I had rarely managed to get into gallery readings, so I assumed I probably wouldn't be successful this time either. But this week had been especially difficult, as it was filled with memories of both of my children.
My son, Patrick, was born on August 9, 1979, and my daughter, Jessica, on August 2, 1982. Both had cystic fibrosis, both underwent double lung transplants, and heartbreakingly, they both passed at the age of 42.
Patrick passed on March 3, 2022, and Jessica on November 4, 2024.
They were both California kids, and I was very close to each of them. Jessica and I spoke, texted, or messaged every single day from the time she married her husband and returned to Anchorage in January 2003 until the day she passed. No matter where I was stationed during my military career or where her husband was stationed, we stayed in constant contact. We were so connected that if one of us was having a difficult day, the other would inevitably text, "What's going on?"
Then came the reading.
Nearly everything Mark Anthony said resonated with one or both of my children. When he mentioned tangerines, I knew immediately it had to be them.
At first, my comment in the chat only reflected a small part of the significance. Jessica and I did love tangerines, but there was so much more to the story.
For 14 years, I served as the Western Pacific Produce Specialist for military commissaries. Since Jessica and I both lived outside California, we often talked about how disappointing produce could be after traveling such a long transportation chain compared to how wonderful it was when it was fresh at its source.
One day, Jessica and I were enthusiastically discussing the best white nectarines when Patrick interrupted us and said, in his wonderfully sarcastic way,
"I hope you two know not everyone gets excited about produce!"
A few years later, when Cuties mandarins first appeared on the market, the three of us were shopping together at Costco. Patrick picked up a bag and proudly announced,
"Have you tried these? They're easy to peel, have no seeds, and taste great!"
Jessica and I immediately became excited about the produce, and Patrick just shook his head.
After the reading, it suddenly dawned on me what he was saying:
"Good grief, Produce Lady! With everything Jessica went through medically, I needed to throw out something you'd immediately recognize so you'd know we're both here."
The Beach Boys reference could have had several meanings.
Both Patrick and Jessica loved the ocean and surfing.
It also reminded me that my first stadium concert was The Beach Boys and Chicago at the Oakland A's Stadium. Years later, I took Jessica to her first stadium concert at Chase Field in Phoenix in September 2024.
Then there was Green Day, who originated in the East Bay and publicly supported keeping the A's in Oakland after we saw them perform in Phoenix. Somehow, those connections completed a beautiful circle.
It also could have referred to the wonderful memories we shared watching rocket launches together from Surf Beach while we lived in Lompoc, California.
The Pisces reference initially made me think of Patrick, whose passing occurred during Pisces season. However, Jessica's best friend—who was with us the night Jessica passed—is a Pisces. After she watched the reading, she immediately said,
"That was for me."
It also could have referred to their paternal grandparents, who have both passed and belonged to the fundamental Church of Christ.
When Patrick said he "wouldn't miss the party," I smiled immediately.
That was absolutely Patrick.
Nothing made him happier than gathering with friends, playing Magic: The Gathering with his cousins, card games, or hosting game nights.
When my niece heard those words during the reading, she told me she was laughing and crying at the same time because she knew Patrick was there.
So did I.
The Jiffy Pop popcorn reference was another perfect piece of evidence.
After hearing concerns about microwave popcorn, Patrick bought Jiffy Pop for movie night because he was convinced his sixteen-year-old daughter had never even heard of it.
He laughed as he showed her how to make it.
The mention of digestive problems was also unmistakable.
Both children experienced digestive issues because of cystic fibrosis, but Patrick's became dramatically worse after he was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma.
Seeing Patrick around the wood stove also made perfect sense.
When we visited his widow, that room had originally been their bedroom. After Patrick passed, she converted it back into the living room. Every time I walked past that doorway during our visit, I strongly felt Patrick's presence there.
Perhaps the most comforting part of the reading involved Jessica's passing.
Jessica was on a ventilator, and her greatest fear was dying while gasping for breath.
Unfortunately, the ventilator could no longer keep her carbon dioxide levels down, and her lungs continued to fail. The medical team administered medication so that her body would not experience the sensation of suffocating.
Hearing Mark explain that Jessica felt a sudden jolt, and only realized she had transitioned when she looked down and saw her own body, brought tremendous comfort to me, her husband, and her Pisces best friend.
We had always hoped she had not suffered.
Knowing she experienced no pain brought us enormous peace.
Her husband was especially comforted by the loving message she shared with him during the reading.
This reading was truly a blessing.
Thank you, Mark Anthony, and thank you to Helping Parents Heal for making this beautiful experience possible.
With heartfelt gratitude,
~Donna Baird
Please watch the YouTube video by clicking here.
Photos:
#1-Patrick Oahu
#2-Patrick Santa Cruz
#3-Patrick and his wife Christy- he a staunch 49er fan and she a staunch. Seattle fan!
#4- Patrick and Jessica at Medieval Night Dinner.Jessica made their costumes!
#5-the quilt she designed digitized, sewed, and donated to the Pollinator.org fundraiser
#6-Jessica in Sedona,
#7-us on the way to GREEN DAY
#8-Jessica on oxygen and ventilator, and sewing the bee quilt!