I was 11 yrs. My Father had left the family for good. My elder sister and 2 brothers were out of the home, on their own. My Mother was mentally unstable, I felt abandoned. Two friends of my dad's were killed in a car accident. The wife, Maude, was very kind and loving to me. I did not care about her husband. My sister came home from college to help my Mom during this time. We went to the funeral home to see the couple. Maude had a wig on, did not look like herself, and I was frightened. We came home, and my sister and my Mom slept in the same bed.  I couldn't sleep because I was frightened and I attempted to get into bed with them. They wouldn't let me.

So I laid down on the floor facing the dining room and attempted to sleep but I found myself calling out "Maude, Maude", over and over again. Suddenly, I saw her in the dining room, sat bolt upright, and screamed "Maude"!!  She was a beautiful vision in pure glowing white with a surrounding white aura and I knew it was her...And she said to me," Don't worry, Annie, I'm alright"...And then she was gone...I sobbed. She was so beautiful. I never told anyone about this until just recently, most people would not believe it anyway.

But from that day on, I knew there was life after death...

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? No      

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          No      

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    All through the experience.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal every day consciousness and alertness?    Normal consciousness and alertness

If your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience was different from your normal every day consciousness and alertness, please explain:            All through the experience.

Did your vision differ in any way from your normal, everyday vision (in any aspect, such as clarity, field of vision, colors, brightness, depth perception degree of solidness/transparency of objects, etc.)?  Yes     what I saw was an angel...the colors, brightness, the aura was so bright that it was illuminating the whole room.

Did your hearing differ in any way from your normal, everyday hearing (in any aspect, such as clarity, ability to recognize source of sound, pitch, loudness, etc.)?
            Yes     I heard an angel speak to me. Very clearly. Not in a mouthing sense, but she spoke to me, that is for sure...I'll never forget what she said to me....

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

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            A great deal of emotional release. I was so glad she was ok. I just broke down and sobbed.

Did you pass into or through a tunnel or enclosure?          No      

Did you see a light?           Yes     I saw her light....I described it earlier.

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Yes     I previously described my visit from Maude, yes, I knew her and she told me that she was ok, for me not to worry.

Did you experience a review of past events in your life?    No       I did not have a near death or out of body experience. I learned a lot. I know that there's life after death and it has helped me in so many ways, I could go on and on....

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

Did you see or visit any beautiful or otherwise distinctive locations, levels or dimensions?           No           

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   No      

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?     Yes     I felt and still feel that I was given a special, privileged sight into what happens when a person dies. At that age I didn't really think about God or religion much, my Mom was a religious fanatic and I hated that. But I instinctually knew that there's a God , a sense of order and purpose, and this experience clinched my belief.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure? No      

Did you become aware of future events?       No           

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience you did not have prior to the experience?     Yes     Over the years, I have 'sensed' spirits around occasionally, but none like "Maude".

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     Many, many, years...I don't think anyone believed me, really, I felt that they felt I was just dreaming or hallucinating....

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?    No      

How did you view the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:            Experience was definitely real    Well, It's been, how many years, I was 11 and I'm 69 now...It was real alright....

Were there one or several parts of the experience especially meaningful or significant to you?    All of it was tremendously meaningful. I loved that woman, I was 11 years old, and it was my first experience with the death of a person close to me. For her to choose me, for her to give me the reassurance I desperately needed, was very kind and compassionate.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience:            Experience was definitely real            Because it was real and it did happen.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?           Yes     I've had lots of bumps in the road over the years, but I always said that Maude is my guardian angel, and that keeps me on a steady keel....

Have your religious beliefs/practices changed specifically as a result of your 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      

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        Yes, I apparently was honored enough to be shown this reality at a very young age and I've never been even remotely close to death, (as far as I know) and I know that miracles happen, there's a God, and alls well with the universe.

Did the questions asked and information you provided so far accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?         Yes     Very interesting questions. I just finished the book, Evidence of life after Death, and it was very interesting and informative. I had no idea that I can state that I, too, had a unique experience, until I read how many people have had somewhat similar occurrences. Except mine was when I was not sick or dying.

Are there any other questions we could ask to help you communicate your experience?   None.