Experience description:
In late
February of 1999, my mother had undergone heart surgery to repair valve damage
that she incurred due to a childhood illness. We were told that her operation
was a success, and in early March, she was sent home from the hospital. But her
health continued to decline, and she passed away in late March. Prior to her
operation, she and I had begun to discuss life after death, as both of us were
beginning to believe that there was something more, and that death was not a
final end. But following her death I began to question this repeatedly, and I
would pray continually for signs that she was ok, and that there was something
more beyond life on earth.
Approximately one week after her death, I had just laid down with my youngest
son, who was having a hard time falling to sleep since her death. My son had
fallen asleep, and I felt like I was just beginning to fall asleep, when I
looked up at the doorway, and in the darkness I saw a brilliant bright light
towards the top of the doorway, near the ceiling. I felt without any question
the complete essence of my mom. The light radiated and with it, I felt
radiated. In what seemed like a moment, I felt complete joy, and love. I wish I
could explain it better. I have never felt this feeling before in my life, and
I was absolutely sure that my mother was completely happy, and at peace. I
think, thanks to her, I literally felt it.
The next
day I told my son about this experience, but did not tell anyone else. About a
month later, my sister told me that at approximately the same time, she had had
a dream in which she had seen my mother, in which my mom was standing beside my
deceased grandmother. She said my mother looked very young and was radiating.
She said she was smiling and that she knew she was happy and at peace.
Was this
experience difficult to express in words?
The only thing that was hard to
communicate, was the feeling of complete love and joy that I felt, for I have
never felt this feeling in my entire lifetime.
Did you feel a touch or
experience any physical contact from the deceased?
Yes
The light which radiated from
the doorway, and from which I felt the essence of my mom, radiated me
internally. I felt complete joy, love, and peace.
Was the
touch familiar or unfamiliar?
It was very
familiar. I can't explain it, but I felt the very being of my mom
Was anything communicated by the touch?
pure joy, love,
and peace.
Is there any
possibility what you felt was from any other source present in the surroundings
at the time of your experience?
I don't think
so
Did
you see the deceased? Not
in bodily form
How clearly
did the deceased appear?
bright, radiant light
Did
you smell a distinct smell, scent, fragrance or odor associated with the
deceased?
No
How
long did the experience last?
only a
few moments
Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?
Yes,
Pure
joy, love, peace.
How
do you currently view the reality of your experience?
Experience was
definitely real
Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:
I felt
pure joy, love, and peace like I never before felt in my life.
Was
there any emotional healing in any way following the experience?
Yes
What
was the best and worst part of your experience?
The best part
was feeling the joy and peace that I believe is hers now, and knowing that she
is alright. The worst part, was coming back to reality.
Has
your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?
Yes
Describe:
The fear of
death, (mine and those that I love), which is something I was petrified of from
the time I was a small child, has subsided.
Did
you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?
Yes
A
definite belief now, that there is a life after death.
Did
the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death,
afterlife, God, etc.?
Yes,
I had
fear of death, which I no longer have. I have the peace of knowing that my
mother is happy and at peace, and that I will see her again one day.
Did
you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience
that you did not have prior to the experience?
Uncertain
Following this initial experience, I have had several vivid dreams in which I
have communicated with my mother, my father, and a deceased friend.
Did
you meet or see any other beings other than the deceased?
No
Did
you see a light?
Yes,
The
brilliant light above the doorway
Have
you shared this experience with others?
Yes
Oddly, several of my brothers and sisters have had similar experiences regarding
the deaths of my mother and father.
Have
you shared this experience formally or informally with any other researcher or
web site?
No
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
When
I was younger, and living in my parent's home, I had one very frightening
experience in which I felt myself leave my body that was lying in my bed, and
float down the stairs into the living room where my parents and several brothers
and sisters were.
Did
the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively
describe your experience?
Yes