My mom had been in the hospital and was having a lot of pain due to complications from a failed bypass on her lower leg. It would have to be amputated, but she would have to receive antibiotics for a week before, and during this time she cried out in pain all through the night and day. I read the bible and prayed for her as it helped her to rest. I was standing by her side, praying out loud as she seemed to be at ease for the moment.

Across the other side of the bed appeared my dad and an angel. They were not in solid form, but I could not see through them either. The angel stood to my father's right side, and neither looked at me. They both had their right arms extended out to my mother. They were focused on her, and it seemed as if they were coming for her. They disappeared as quickly as they had appeared, and I immediately text messaged my daughter and husband about the experience. I could not talk about it over the phone at that time, because I did not want to scare my mother. I knew my family members might think that I was crazy, but I had to tell someone.

My husband asked me if it could have just been my imagination due to my worst fears. I told him that it could be, I guess....but deep inside, I knew what I had seen. I started to doubt myself, and wondered if the long nights at the hospital were starting to catch up with me. Later that week my mom had surgery, and everything seemed to be going great. The only thing was that right after surgery; my mom began to communicate with her deceased mother out loud during her sleep. The conversations were as if her mom were there taking care of her. She would say, "Oh mama, dont do that it hurts". At other times she would just call to her mom. It freaked me out at first, but then I started thinking that it could just be the pain medication she was on, and the fact that she felt needy like we do when we are young.

My grandmother had passed away when my mom was around 20, so she had not had any conversations with her mom in 46 years. My mom came home from the hospital, and during the night my sister would wake to hear my mom calling out loud to her own mother. Upon awakening, my mom would have no recollection of the conversation, and she would deny any dreams involving her mother. Within six days of leaving the hospital, my mom collapsed and died. We believe it could have been a blood clot. As I was at the funeral home making arrangements, I remembered the experience in the hospital. I had wondered in the hospital if that meant they were coming for my mom, but when she started doing better, and came home...I thought it was my imagination playing tricks on me. Now I was certain that it was NOT my imagination. The year 2008 had been a difficult year for my mom. It started in January as she had a heart attack and flat lined in the ambulance; she would tell us later that during that time, our father came to her and wanted her to go with him, but she told him she was not ready.

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?            No

Did you see the deceased?         Yes

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

How long did the experience last?        Less than a minute

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

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?           Yes  Like he was wanting to help my mom with her pain.

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know?  No

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 know what I saw. I could see it all in detail, down to what side the angel was standing on. I saw them looking at my mom.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No 

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:           I was in shock. I was afraid because I thought it meant they were going to take my mom with them to heaven.

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

After my mom's death, I knew where she was. I knew she was with my father, and she was in heaven. I thank God for letting me witness this.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      It was great to see my dad, and to see an actual angel...but I couldn't even focus on these things, because I was fearful that they were coming to take my mom home.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes                 Describe:      I feel closer to God.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     I have more of an affirmation that I will see my loved ones again.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?            Yes     I know that there is definitely life after death! I saw my dad with my own two eyes! I did not imagine it! I saw him!!! I also saw an angel. I don't care what anyone thinks, I know what I saw!

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

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          Yes It looked like they were there to take my mom to heaven, and she died soon after.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            I was shocked, afraid.

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

An angel.

Did you see a light?           No

Did any part of your experience seem to occur in a place other than the location described above?            No

Have you shared this experience with others?        

Yes     Some find it hard to believe, some try to find ways to claim it was my imagination, but others believe me. I know what I saw....it doesn't matter what others think.

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?           Uncertain 

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