My 25 year old co-worker Michael passed away in 2001.  He was diagnosed with Leukemia after we suggested he see his doctor for what appeared to be a insect bite on his leg.  He passed away 5 days after that diagnosis.   Michael was a very kind, good-hearted young man who was very devoted to his religion.  We spoke every morning as he passed through the office.  After his death, I was having a very hard time understanding why God had taken this wonderful young man.  About one week later I had this dream.   

In my dream, I was with my mother who passed away two years prior.  And by "with"... I mean in spirit because she had no visible body form.  It was like we were ascending down from an aerial position on a huge white building which looked like something Greek or Roman in architecture.  It had huge white columns in the front and many rows of steps going up the entire width of the building.  I had a definite feeling that it was very religious in nature. On the steps were what seemed like hundreds of people all dressed in white.  I saw Michael standing on the very left.  As I neared him, I could see that he was smiling.  I felt an overwhelming sense of joy, love, and peace, which I knew was his, and I felt happy for him.  Not one word was spoken.  I smiled back at him and I kissed him on the forehead.  I woke up crying.

Was this experience difficult to express in words?  No

Did you hear the deceased or hear something associated with the deceased?          No

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

I had an overwhelming sense of his happiness, love and peace.

            Was the touch familiar or unfamiliar?   familiar...I had a similar feeling in dream involving my mother who had passed 2 years earlier.

            Was anything communicated by the touch?  An overwhelming sense of peace, love, happiness.

            Is there any possibility what you felt was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?  No

Did you see the deceased?         Yes

Appeared similar to what he did in really life but he was dressed completely in white.  He also seemed to almost radiate peace and happiness.

            How clearly did the deceased appear?            Clearly solid

            How much of the deceased did you see?       all

            Did the deceased appear or not appear to be the age at which they died?       Yes...Michael was 25 when he died.  He appeared to be exactly the same age.

            How healthy did the deceased appear to be?            Michael seemed radiantly healthy.  Weeks prior to his diagnosis and passing, he looked very fatigued, and of course right before his passing I guess he looked pretty bad.

            Is there any possibility what you saw was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           I don't believe so.

Did you smell a distinct smell, scent, fragrance or odor associated with the deceased?      No

How long did the experience last?        A moment.

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?         The beginning was gradual. (Ascending down on the scene with my mother) The ending was sudden.  (I kissed him on the forehead) and then I woke up.  I think that's why I was crying.

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

Absolutely...overwhelmingly...he was so happy and at peace.

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know?  I honestly believe that Michael was trying to let me know that he was at peace with his passing (even at such a young age).  He was happy and I believe he was with God.

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 had similar experiences involving my mother and father after their passing.  Some may say that these are dreams, but these experiences have been so different, so vivid that I have actually seen colors and in one experience involving my father, I literally felt the breeze.  They are so clear.  I have never forgotten any part of these experiences like a might a dream.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   Uncertain

Just in the ascending down on the scene with my mother who passed previously.

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:           A feeling of extreme happiness, peace and love.

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

I was certain Michael was at peace with his passing, and that he was happy.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The best part was seeing him...knowing he was happy and at peace. Feeling his love, peace and happiness. 

The worst part was how quickly it was over, and waking up.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes                 Describe:            Yes...because of this experience and those with my mother and father, I no longer fear death.  I know it's not final.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   N0 comment            A confirmation and stronger belief of what I experienced with my mother and father (that life and love continue after we leave this world, and that our loved ones are still with us)

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?            Yes     This experience with Michael reconfirmed to me that there is definitely something more after we leave this earth, and that the love that we share in this life continues on in the next.  This is something I came to believe with the loss of my mother and father a few years earlier due to the similar experiences I had with them.  I no longer fear death as I did when I was younger.

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?        No

But, I have told my children that when I pass someday, look for signs that I am around because I will always be with them.

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          N0 response
What emotions did you feel during the experience?            I woke up crying.

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?           No

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes

When my mother and I were traveling and then ascending down on the building.

Did you become aware of future events?       No

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

Just more dreams (visits) of my mother and a few with my father.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Yes...when I was with my mother, ascending down on the building.

Did you meet or see any other beings other than the deceased?          I saw what seemed like hundreds of people on the stairs of the building all dressed in white.  I did not recognize any of them, but I didn't look at them directly, because I spotted Michael immediately.

Did you see a light?           Uncertain  The entire scene seemed surrounded by a white light.

Have you shared this experience with others?        

Yes     Yes, my family and a couple of co-workers.  I was afraid that some may think I was crazy but surprisingly, they seem to believe me, and some of them have spoken of similar experiences and beliefs in a life after death.

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

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

When I was younger, I was lying in bed, and I had an experience where I felt myself leave my body, and as I was floating near the ceiling I went down the steps into the living room where I could see and hear my family members.

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