As I was looking at it, I noticed something out of the corner of my left eye, and looked up.  Circling me in flight, no more that 10-13' away from me and at about 7' above the ground, was a large Owl gliding, staring right at me.  Now, firstly, it's strange enough that an owl in the wild come that close to a human, but what is stranger is that I had always kinda associated my Grandfather with an Owl.  (When I told my brother of the experience, I left out certain details so he could draw his own conclusions.  Right away, when I asked what he thought of the owl, he said "that's grandpa".)

I knew the moment I saw it circling me that it was him, and I felt overcome with joy at seeing him again, and I wept.  I stretched out my arm, and he flew so close over it that I could feel the wind come off of it's wing against my face.  He circled me a few more time while I whirled around following him with my head then glided down the valley and disappeared from sight.  I knew right then and there that is was him, and appreciate him paying me a visit when I was all alone in that town, far from home.

Was this experience difficult to express in words? 

Yes

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

Yes

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

Yes

The wind from the wing.

            Is there any possibility what you felt was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience? 

no, the air was dead calm.

Did you see the deceased?        

Uncertain, I saw him in an owl.

            How clearly did the deceased appear?            perfectly.

            How much of the deceased did you see?       All

            Did the deceased appear or not appear to be the age at which they died?       ---

            How healthy did the deceased appear to be?            ---

            Is there any possibility what you saw was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           Yes, I suppose, there are owls in northern BC.

How long did the experience last?       

About 45 seconds

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

sudden ----->  to gradual ending.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?          

Yes, I could feel that he was watching over me.

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:         

Well, because of the strange behavior of the owl, the timing, the association between my grandfather and an owl

            Was the experience dream like in any way?  

No

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:          

Overwhelming joy to see him again.

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

Yes

Seeing him again, gave me perspective that I had lost at the time, being so wrapped up in things with work, and moving to this town, and feeling lonely there.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?     

seeing him.  It didn't really have a 'worst' part.

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

Uncertain

            Describe:     

Well, if it changed my view at the time, I wonder where I'd be now if it hadn't.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes, I felt much better about things.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?           

Amazement, and joy.

Have you shared this experience with others?        

Yes

They listened, and in the case of my brother immediately associated the experience with my grandfather

Have you shared this experience formally or informally with any other researcher or web site?  

No

Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?      

Nope

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?          

No 

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

Yes

Please offer any suggestions you may have to improve this questionnaire.   

This site is a great idea.  The lack of research in this field is being compensated for.  Keep up the great work.