This contact with my grandfather happened over the span of about two weeks.  It began with a shadow that appeared quickly and disappeared when I tried to stare at it for too long.  I would first detect a shape of a man with an outline of a hat that my grandfather always wore.  Later, I would get the scent of his cologne.  Only I could smell it.  He seemed to hover near me a lot at the time.  He wore this very distinct smelling cologne or aftershave, that is not sold in the U.S.  It was very strong and smelled very sweet.  He never conveyed messages, but I could tell when he was near.  I would feel differently somehow and either the shadow or the scent for arrive.  He had a very strained relationship with his children, so it seems his presence hovered but I don't know why.  Two to three weeks after his death, all of it ended.  I have not smelled that scent since.  I just knew he was there, just watching. 

My uncle contacted me in a dream a week or so after he died.  I was very sad that I didn't get a chance to attend his funeral.  I had only met him once, but still.  One night, I had a very strange a vivid dream.  I wouldn't even call it a dream, I was not in control of it.  At first, I was sharing a bed with my mother, I saw him approaching and I tried to wake her, but she would not wake.  Then as he came closer I was almost blinded by the colors surrounding him.  It was like he broke through my dream to see me. He looked younger, peaceful, and smiling.  His aura was literally sparkling.  I was a bit nervous, but he came up to me, opened his hand and in it lay the most beautiful pair of intricately detailed gold earrings.  I think he knew how badly I'd felt about not being there for his funeral.  He looked at me with his shining eyes and began to tell me (telepathically) what a wonderful person I was.  He must have said a small paragraph of words in a short burst.  It all came out so quickly from his mind to mine, but it made sense.  I never took the earrings, but I knew they represented me somehow.  I think he wanted to let me know that I would be okay. It was the most unbelievable experience I've ever had.  So real.  It was not my dream, it seems as though it was his created setting to visit me.

Was the experience difficult to express in words?     No  

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

Describe what you heard, how clearly you heard it and what was communicated:     In the case of my uncle, it was telepathic communication  

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?   It seemed to pour straight into my thoughts.  Almost drowning out my own voice. 

If you heard a voice or sound, was it similar or dissimilar from the voice or sound the deceased made when they were alive?     It was a male voice, it just seemed more mellow, smoother, and much, much faster     

Is there any possibility what you heard was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?   No. I was asleep alone.  

Was there any possible impairment to your hearing at the time of the experience?   No.

Did you feel a touch or experience any physical contact from the deceased?   No                   

Did you see the deceased?   Yes    In the case of my uncle, since he was the only one I saw, he looked like him, but younger, thinner, stronger, and gentler.

How clearly did the deceased appear?   In between solid and transparent.  He was surrounded by a glowing aura of different colors.  Mostly gold and blue.

How much of the deceased did you see?    All of him at first, then just from the waist up once he was closer.

Did the deceased appear or not appear to be the age at which they died?   Younger

How healthy did the deceased appear to be?    He looked much better than he did when I last saw him.

Is there any possibility what you saw was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?    No. He looked more peaceful and loving than he was in real life.  He was not the gentlest man, but in this communication he seemed so at peace.

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

What smell, scent, fragrance or odor did you smell?    My grandfathers cologne or aftershave

Was the smell, scent, fragrance or odor familiar?    The odor was familiar and had a sweet smell.  Very unique to only him.

Was anything communicated by the smell?    It was just like a signal that he was near.

Is there any possibility that the smell, scent, fragrance or odor was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?    No.  I have never in my life smelled another cologne or aftershave like this.  I don't even know what it is.  It's definitely not from the U.S.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?   Yes     Remorse

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know?   No. He did not communicate anything to me other than scent and shadow.  My uncle only told me about my strengths.  I try to remember what he said when I'm feeling low.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience?    Experience was definitely real    The dream was not under my control and did not seems like an ordinary dream.  It was too vivid.  I felt like my uncle broke through my dream to see me.  That has never happened before with other deceased people.

Was the experience dream like in any way?    No   

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

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?   No

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?    Uncertain    No one else could smell my grandfather's cologne, but me.  Also, no one was present for my dream.                                 

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?    No   

Did you meet or see any other beings other than the deceased?    No   

Did you see a light?    Yes   

Did any part of your experience seem to occur in a place other than the location described above?   Uncertain    There may have been changes