Eyes Above the Water: Purchase the book or request a speaking session here.
Nightbirde Part 2
Finding Strength Like Ulysses I Bill Vassilopoulos
7/21/20262 min read
Nightbirde Part 2:
Finding Strength Like Ulysses I Bill Vassilopoulos
Hollywood’s latest adaptation of Homer’s The Odyssey is making headlines—mostly for losing the substance of the original Greek myth. While cinema often cheapens ancient stories, the underlying history holds truths that remain strikingly relevant today.
Before her passing, Jane Marczewski—known to the world as Nightbirde—talked about a personal pact she made while facing terminal cancer. She vowed that no matter how dark her battle became, she would not give up on life. Jane wore a ring inscribed with the name Ulysses, referencing the legendary king who bound himself to the mast of his ship to survive the deadly call of the Sirens.
In behavioral psychology and medical ethics, a "Ulysses pact" is a binding commitment made in a moment of clarity to prevent you from making a fatal choice when pain or weakness takes over. For Jane, it was a covenant with God: a pledge that no matter how desperately she wanted the suffering to end, she would hold fast.
Her stage name, Nightbirde, was born from that same unwavering hope. Jane adopted the name after experiencing a recurring dream where birds sang loudly outside her window in the middle of the night. On the third night, she woke up, went to the window, and saw them singing in the pitch black. She realized those birds were singing in joyful anticipation of the dawn, even when there was no visible sign of light yet. She chose to be a "Nightbirde"—someone who sings through the dark before the morning arrives.
Jane kept her promise, and she is now in glory with Jesus.
We live in a culture that increasingly resists endurance, grit, and hard work—especially when pain and suffering are involved. Watching a loved one suffer is undeniably devastating. During the 2020 COVID-19 lockdowns, I watched my own father suffer tremendously before his passing. Over time, the acute trauma fades, but the memory remains. Eventually, I realized that despite everything I tried to do to save him, God had an appointed time to call him home—a time I could not alter. Accepting that truth lifted a crushing burden. Six years later, I remain committed to staying strong for my family.
In my book, Eyes Above the Water, I share my own story of attempting to end my life when I was 18 years old. I survived, and today I work to bring hope to a hurting world. I am simply a father fighting to build suicide-safe communities.
If you want to support this mission, download Eyes Above the Water and help spread the word. Together, we can make a tangible difference.
Please remember:
You are irreplaceable.
You are unrepeatable.
You are highly valued.
You are not a burden.
Watch Nightbirde's Journey and Audition
Below is Nightbirde’s iconic America’s Got Talent audition performance, where she sang her original song "It's OK":
America's Got Talent - Nightbirde "It's OK" Golden Buzzer Performance
For a deeper look into her background and what wasn't shown on television:
What America’s Got Talent didn't get a chance to tell you about Jane Marczewski Nightbirde
sign up for weekly 3RT Newsletter and Blogs
Warmly, your friend,
Bill Vassilopulos