This is in reference to my most recent experience which took place on February 23, 2004.  I had no home phone for 2 1/2 days due to the fact that the main phone cable which is outside of my home was inexplicably cut.  The phone company told me that it was a clean cut that was done with a sharp object such as a knife or scissors.  As of this moment, my husband nor I have an explanation as to how that was done.  The same day the cable was repaired by the phone company and my phone service restored, I received a message on my answering machine from my grandfather's surviving partner.  She didn't realize she had left the message, she basically said in spanish, "Oh shoot", and she attempts to hang up the phone after that, but before she does, a distant, low voice says my nickname "Lise".  That's what all of my family members call me and what my grandfather called me as well. 

I had been having an overwhelming feeling of missing him the previous day.  That evening, I went to kiss my son's forehead and for a moment I felt like I had been kissing my grandfather's instead since my child's forehead resembles that of my grandfather's.  Shortly after I did that, I opened up a fortune cookie, that came with chinese food I had for dinner, and read the message it had inside.  It said, "The one you love is closer than you think".  The next day I received that message on my answering machine with the voice saying my name at the end.  Every time I play the message back I get chills all over my body.  This is the second time this has happened to me since my grandfather passed away, and there is no denying that the voice is supernatural.

Details of location of experience and your activity at the time of experience:  Via telephone messages.  First time was on my cell phone after his surviving partner called me and left me a message.  He called my name about 4 times before she ended her call.  This last time was on my home machine.  Once again, it was after my grandfather's friend left a message and at the end of the recording my name is called in a low, distant voice.

Was this experience difficult to express in words?  No

Did you hear the deceased or hear something associated with the deceased?          Yes

            Describe what you heard, how clearly you heard it and what was communicated:   As mentioned in the description of the event, my name, "Lise",  is spoken once at the end of a message left on my answering machine.  It sounds distant, but there is no question in my mind that it is in fact my name being said.

            Did the voice or sound seem to originate externally or outside of you, inside you, or did you not hear a voice or sound, but had a sense of knowing what was communicated?  It was external and is recorded on my answering machine.

            If you heard a voice or sound, was it similar or dissimilar from the voice or sound the deceased made when they were alive?           The voice and tone sound very similar to that of my grandfather's when he was alive.

            Is there any possibility what you heard was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           None whatsoever.  I questioned my grandfather's lady friend and she said that at the time she made the phone call, she was simply standing next to the phone in an open area and that there was no one else home.

            Was there any possible impairment to your hearing at the time of the experience?   No.

How long did the experience last?        A few seconds.  It was longer when it first happened in September.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?           Yes, Seems like trying to get my attention somehow, but seems peaceful.

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:          There is no denying that there is a voice saying my name in this recording and each time I hear that message my heart fills with intense emotions and my body seems to freeze up.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:           I got intense feelings deep inside of me and my body felt like it had frozen in time.  I was also in shock that I was hearing what I heard.

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

I did feel some guilt that I wasn't able to pray over my grandfather before he died, and I have wondered if in fact he went on to be with the Lord.  This contact seems to be a way to let me know that he is OK, and I feel some relief from that.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The best part was knowing that if it is in fact my grandfather that is reaching out, that he seems to be at peace and that makes me feel more at ease about his death.  However, the worst part is not being able to understand why this is happening and dealing with this overwhelming phenomena.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Uncertain

It is just unclear to me as to why and how it is possible for a person who is deceased to communicate with the living when their spirit should be somewhere else altogether.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?            Uncertain

It makes me confused as to why someone would try to make contact after they have passed on since they have left this world and are somewhere else.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            At first I was speechless and in complete awe.  I felt somewhat relieved that my grandfather had tried to reach me again since the first time I wasn't able to record the message left on my cell phone, and now I had it recored on my answering machine.  I was happy to hear that again, but at the same time a little frightened as to why this is happening.

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?           Yes

I played the first message that ocurred in September to all of my family members including my grandfather's partner.  I did the same with this past experience.  They all agree that it sounds as if it is my grandfather calling my name.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   Yes, I felt frozen for a moment.

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes

All of my family members.  They all agree that it sounds like my name is being spoken.  We are all in shock and don't understand whay it is happening.  My family and I want more answers as to what exactly the recording is but my husband does not want me to pursue that further.

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

I contacted a local paranormal research group but my husband has put his foot down about not having anyone come to our home to do any kind of investigating.

 Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?       I just would like to know if in fact the recording is that of my grandfather and understand why it has happened.

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?           Yes 

Yes, I used to see dark shadows as a child and as a teenager and young adult, I would often see apparitions watching over me while I laid in bed at night.  My family members can vouch for this as I was always petrified by these events and would scream as a result.

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