My dad (my adoptive father) past away suddenly on July 30, 1975. However, my mom (my adoptive mother) and I shared a feeling of anxiousness centered around my dad that morning. Neither one of us wanted him to go to work, but we had no concrete reason for him to stay; just our gut feelings. When we got the phone call that he had suffered a massive heart attack, we were not surprised.

   It was very difficult on us, since there was just the two of us women at home. It would have been so much worse making preparations if it were not for my fiance, my dad's family and all my friends. Mom & I knew there would be so many more challenges after the funeral. Neither of us had a job. I was preparing to go to college in the Fall. Everything was in a flux. I was so upset about how we were going to make it. I kept saying to God that He had made a mistake taking my dad; that he should have taken me instead because mom needed him so much and I wasn't that useful. I felt so lost without my dad; he was my best friend. We share so many hobbies together. There was always just the three of us; it just didn't seem natural without him there.

   On August 4th, we buried my dad. It was such a sweltering day. Out house bulged with people after the funeral. I really felt closed in and I really needed to get away for a little while. I asked mom if she minded if I went out for a little while for a drive to get some air. She told me to go and not worry about her. She certainly had plenty of company with all our relatives there. My fiance Rich drove me over to his apartment. We sat talking and he let me cry. It was such a relief to be able to do so. I didn't want to keep doing it in front of my mom; I didn't want to keep upsetting her.

   Since it was getting late, I said I needed to get back to mom. I went to the bathroom to wash my face. It was then that I had the sense of someone watching me. It was so strong that I turned around to look, expecting Rich to be there. No one was and as soon as I had turned, the feeling was gone. I felt pretty weirded out by it, but I didn't say anything to Rich.

   As we drove home, Rich & I in the front bench seat together, I felt a hand on my right shoulder, as if someone had reach over the seat from the back and held on. It was hard; it was rather secure. If it weren't for the fact that I knew there wasn't anyone else in the car with us, I wouldn't have felt so unnerved.

   As we pulled up and stopped before my house (it was dark in the house except for my mom's bedroom light), the hand remained. I said, "Rich, would you please look in the back seat for me?" He looked at me questioningly, but the looked over my left shoulder. Immediately the presence was gone. I explained what had happened. Rich asked me if I wanted him to come in with me, but I told him I'd be alright and I'd talk to him in the morning.

   As I went into the house, the feeling of being watched returned and I ran upstairs. I went straight to my mom's room. She was already in bed, but she was waiting for me to get back. I asked her if she'd mind if I slept with her that night and she said that it was alright with her.

   I quickly changed clothes and climbed into with her. After we turned out the light, I told her about my experiences and I said that I thought it might be Daddy. She said, "Oh, yes, he's been in and out of here all night!"

   I asked, "What do you think he wants?" And Mom said, "I think he just wants to make sure we're alright and to let us know he's okay, too." I felt she was right about that and I no longer felt 'frightened'. We both heard him walking back and forth outside the bedroom door. The floor boards in the hallway kept squeeking as if someone was walking on them. We both fell asleep knowing he was keeping an eye out on us and that he always would. And he always has.

Was this experience difficult to express in words? 

No

Did you hear the deceased or hear something associated with the deceased?         

Yes

            Describe what you heard, how clearly you heard it and what was communicated:   

Just footsteps (at that encounter). Many years later, just before I had a very serious car accident, I heard him speak to me. He told me I was not going to die and I was filled with a great sense of peace and comfort.

            Did the voice or sound seem to originate externally or outside of you, inside you, or did you not hear a voice or sound, but had a sense of knowing what was communicated? 

The footsteps were definitely outside. (So were the squeeking floorboards).

            If you heard a voice or sound, was it similar or dissimilar from the voice or sound the deceased made when they were alive?          

Footsteps sounded like my dad's. The later encounter I was sure it was him, but I'm not sure about his voice.

            Is there any possibility what you heard was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?          

No, it was footsteps on creaking floorboards. I knew ever sound that house made. It still is my home.

            Was there any possible impairment to your hearing at the time of the experience?  

No. I had better hearing then than I do now!

Did you feel a touch or experience any physical contact from the deceased?           

Yes

On the shoulder. It was definitely a hand.

            Was the touch familiar or unfamiliar?  

I guess it was familiar, but it so freaked me out I didn't really analyse it at the time. As I think about it all these years later, I'm sure it was my dad.

            Was anything communicated by the touch? 

It was a sense of security & strength. I was just freaked out by the otherworldlyness of it, since I knew no one was supposed to be in the car with the two of us.

            Is there any possibility what you felt was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience? 

Absolutely not!

Did you see the deceased?        

No

Did you smell a distinct smell, scent, fragrance or odor associated with the deceased?     

No

How long did the experience last?       

I guess the longest was several hours off and on. I fell asleep so I don't know.

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?        

Sudden in the beginning. Gradual in it's ending.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?          

Yes

I guess it was asuring. Trying to convey a sense of security and that he was fine and he was still watching out for us.

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know? 

Other than to convey that he was okay and that we would be okay.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience?          

Experience was definitely real

            Please explain why you view the reality of your experience as real or not real:          

I've had other experiences.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?  

No

Was there any emotional healing in any way following the experience?          

Yes

We both felt we would see my dad again and that he would always watch out for us.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?     

That it ended.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?        

Yes                 Describe:           

Everything is precious and connected.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     Deeper belief in life continuing past this one.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?           

Yes     Yes, but I was still pretty young. I needed to mature more. But I definitely felt my dad's conviction of God watching out for us was proven.

Death Compacts are when two or more living people promise among themselves that whoever dies first will try to contact the other(s).  Have you ever made such a compact?       

Yes

No. It was with someone else.

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?         

Uncertain
What emotions did you feel during the experience?           

Hopeful, comforted, loved

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?          

Yes

My mother experienced things the same day while I was at my fiance's apartment, then we both shared an experience together.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?  

Uncertain

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?   

N0 comment

Later, yes.

Did you become aware of future events?      

Yes

Seeing my friend as he turned out to look in real life.

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         Yes

Strange 'feelings' of presences.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?    

No

Did you meet or see any other beings other than the deceased?           

Yes

I feel I have met my guardian angel once.

Did you see a light?          

No

Did any part of your experience seem to occur in a place other than the location described above?           

Yes

When a friend of mine died, I actually felt I went to the funeral home before really visiting. Everything in my 'dream' was exactly like it was in real life, except in the dream there were no people; only my friend in his coffin.

Have you shared this experience with others?        

Yes     I guess I must have convinced them...they seemed to understand.

Have you shared this experience formally or informally with any other researcher or web site?  

No

 Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?      

This was just the start of many amazing experiences. Death is the road to awe!

Were there any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?            No

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?        

No 

Did you ever in your life have a near-death experience, out of body experience or other spiritual event?          

Yes 

Something like an NDE

Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?              

Yes

There's so much more I could say, though!