I had just returned to my student job at the university after my mom's death. I was looking out the window when a scarlet tanager landed on the ivy that was climbing up the side of the building. The window was open and the bird was so close to me, looking at me and making some soothing sounds. It stayed there for quite some time. I knew this was either a message from my mom or mom in spirit form. She had been fascinated with scarlet tanagers in life and as a kid we would always be on the look-out for one. I am forever grateful for this experience

Was this experience difficult to express in words?  No

Did you ONLY sense an awareness of presence of the deceased without actually seeing, hearing, feeling or smelling them?            Yes

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?         No

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

How long did the experience last?        5-10 minutes

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

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

bittersweet but wanting to comfort me

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 was wide awake, sober and focused. it did not appear in anyway like a dream.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No      

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:           awestruck, bittersweet, a bit fearful

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

I felt mom hadn't completely forgotten about me

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes    

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?  Yes            spirit survives physical death

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?          No

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            tearful, deeply grateful, more at peace

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?           No

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

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    No

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?         No

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     Uncertain

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

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    

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