I had moved to Philadelphia to pursue my Doctor of Education degree at Temple University.  I had recently separated from my wife, Sharon, and she and our two small children remain in New Haven, Connecticut.  In March, 1972 I was asleep in my house in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania.  Sometime during the night I was dreaming of a fog enveloping me when suddenly Sharon appeared out of the fog and took me by my hand.  Thinking of a beach in Old Saybrook, Ct where we used to go, we began walking along the shore, hand in hand.  She told me that she loved me and knew that I lover her also.  She had some regrets but told me to move on with my life and that she would cherish our time together.  She let go of my hand and I returned to my dream.  Early the next morning I received a telephone call from a friend of mine who informed me that Sharon had a brain aneurysm and did not survive.  The doctors had performed successful surgery and expected her to be well.  However, she fell into a coma and never awoke.  Of course, I was devastated, but because of my experience I was at peace because we able to say our goodbyes.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   No  

Was the experience difficult to express in words?....No....

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?....Normal consciousness and alertness    At the height of my dream experience.....

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.    The same type of awareness.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.    The same type of hearing.

Did you see or hear any earthly events that were occurring during a time that your consciousness / awareness was apart from your physical / earthly body?    No  

What emotions did you feel during the experience?....A sense of peace and love.  

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

Did you see an unearthly light?....No....

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?....No   

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?....Yes    I was with Sharon.

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?....No....

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?....No....

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?....No....

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?....No....

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?....No....

Did you come to a border or point of no return?....No....

Did scenes from the future come to you?....No....

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?....Yes....I came to know that there is an existence after death.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:....Large changes in my life....I have become more convinced of existence after death and that we definitely have a soul created by God.....

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?    Yes     My experience reinforced my religious beliefs.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?....No    

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   Yes   Immediately after it occurred I told of it to my close friends and to my children years later when they were old enough to understand.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?....Yes     Only what I read about during my years in college.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:....Experience was definitely real    I realized that I was fortunate to say goodbye to Sharon and that we shared a mutual love.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:....Experience was definitely real....The same response as above.  I still think about her.  It was a comforting experience.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?....Yes....I am more compassionate and understanding of others feelings.

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?....No   

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?....No