[melissa]

I've had several experiences... but the one below was the most intense and wonderful! I'm not sure exactly what to call this experience...... But it's not an exagerration to say that my life has changed because of it. I was spiritual to begin with, and am much more so now.

~~~~~~~~~~

In May 2006, I had gallbladder surgery, and I had a lot of serious medical complications afterwards. (That, in and of itself, is a long story, but I won't bore you.)

Prior to my surgery, I had given some thought that perhaps while I was under anesthesia (in that deep, deep state of altered consciousness), that my dad - or brothers or grandfather or anyone else I'd known who has passed on - might come to visit me, maybe to reassure me that everything was going to be all right, or to impart some words of wisdom. However, that didn't turn out to be the case, but I did end up having a nice "visit" - though not at that time, location, or by whom I'd expected.

Around a week after my surgery, I was laying in bed on a Tuesday night, completely unable to sleep. Beside me in bed, my husband and my son (21 months old at the time) are snoozing peacefully. I tried watching TV. I tried reading. I finally just gave up and laid there, hoping I'd eventually drift off. And I eventually did get in that quasi-state of sleep and wakefullness.

It was then that I smelled this most beautiful fragrance, and almost as if someone sent the info straight to my startled brain, I immediately remembered that sometimes when we entertain visitors from the beyond, that they arrive with a special aroma all their own. (I later read and learned more on this subject.)

As I was still smelling the flowerly fragrance, I heard a female friendly voice say, "Hi." And she said my name.

At the time, I was absolutely terrified because I didn't understand what was happening. (Again, I've since read much information regarding these type of experiences, and in hindsight, it's easier to "understand," although full understanding yet evades me.)

And then these things - all I know to call them are "spirits" - started zooming past me. Their speed was such that it even lifted my hair away from my face. At first I thought they were coming towards me and I've never felt that level of fear before! I was terror-stricken. I reached out with my hand and grabbed my husband's leg and held tightly to it. My son was warm between us, and both my son and husband continued sleeping.

I then realized that the spirits weren't coming at me. They were passing by me, like they were going somewhere. And apparently I went with them!

Suddenly, and without any sense of having traveled myself, I'm standing in this beautiful room with many people. There are 2 women close by me, and the one thing that I remember most clearly were their very sincere smiles. They meant me no harm and truly cared about my thoughts and feelings.

For the first few minutes, the women had to spend their time reassuring me. I was very frightened and could not understand what was happening.

They repeatedly - and gently - told me that "Everything was okay" and that "Nothing was wrong," and "Please, don't be frightened."

I was frightened, but their kind words and soft touches led me to believe that things were okay.
They told me "We know you don't understand. We want to help you understand."

We talked for some time about how scary it seemed, but that there was nothing here to hurt me or anyone. And overwhelmingly, there was a theme that "things are okay; don't worry." At times it seemed as if they communicated to me without words. I just knew what they were trying to tell me, and they knew that I knew, and this made things better.

After I had calmed down, they wanted to show me around, and I was okay with that. I trusted these 2 women.

I have to be honest that I cannot recall everything that I was shown as it visually appeared. I do know there were beautiful forests and flowing streams and lots of color. Moreso than the appearance, however, is that I recall the essence of the place.

The place embodied these things. Peace. Light. Love.

The amount of unconditional love that I felt was phenomenal and unlike anything I'd ever experienced. The place was perfect, and only full of goodness.

They seemed to sense my confusion. I was either told, or else I simply understood then, that this was the answer to what I've always wondered about. In my daily life, I have so many questions, fear, doubts, and more about what happens after death.

They told me they were here to answer my questions.

I started crying then and asked, "Does that mean my dad and brothers and everyone else that I've known and loved who have passed on are here in this beautiful place and that they're fine?"

I saw the shining tears of joy in their eyes and heard the unmistakable truth and pure joy in their voice, when they answered, "Yes, they are all just fine."

And thinking about my cat who had been missing, and that I'd walked the streets in vain looking for her, I said, "Does that mean......?" I couldn't ask. I just said "Holly?," and they hugged me and said, "Yes, she's fine, too."

After I regained my composure from these amazing revelations, they led me back inside. There were long white tables and chairs. Everything was pure and white and beautiful. I saw some people sitting at tables talking and enjoying each others company. I saw couples walking hand-in-hand. I saw a man playing with a baby, gently tossing the baby in the air, and that sweet baby giggle will always stay with me.

The two women said they wanted to introduce me to some people. They walked me around, and I was greeted with such kindness, sincerity, honesty, and love that I can't even describe. Many, many times, I was told by various people "We know you don't understand. And that's okay. We want to try to help you understand, and let you know that things are okay." (Throughout my life, I've had such fear of death. Not much my own death, but rather that of others, and having lost so many people close to me that I've cared deeply about, I've wondered what's happened to them and are they ok. I also worry about losing people in the future. I don't talk about it much, but it's one of my biggest fears, because I know that ultimately we can't escape death, and I've lived every day afraid of losing another person or animal. It's an unhealthy fear, but it's one I've had.)

Several people along the way actually gave me folded pieces of light pink paper that they told me I would get to read later. And many more told me that it would "all eventually make sense." There was a theme of "We've chosen you to explain this to you so that you will not be afraid."

And they left me with these very words of advice, which did not sound trite, but sounded true and lovely and heartfelt.

"Everything is going to be all right."

With one last warm hug of reassurance, I found myself in my own bed again, wide awake, with my son and husband still sleeping peacefully beside me.

[asypecresty]

Thank you for sharing this amazing story! I think you are so blessed to have that experience, to see the peace of the after life. Have to admit, I am alittle envious. It sounds so peaceful and beautiful. It makes you wonder why we ever left...

[HakTaisanip]

Thank you for sharing your story. I think you are so very fortunate to have had experienced it.

Blessings~

[pipitous]

That sounds like a wonderful experience!

[deackatera]

It sounds so beautiful. I think you definitely had a real experience. It sounds very consistent to what I have come to believe. What a wonderful experience to have.

[radicalvolume]

How beautiful is that?! u r v blessed to have that experience, it is wonderful...

love and light

janspirit x

[ThomasMannfanny]

It sounds very true.

Why do we leave? To come here and add to our learning in a way that we can't learn anywhere else. It's only here that we polarise 'good' and 'bad' because we don't have full understanding of what's really going on. We see the surface, but it's important that we do.

You were and are truely blessed. What a pleasure to learn of your experience. It reminds me very much of the place i sometimes glimpse when I'm in the halls of learning up there. Beautiful.

El x

[melissa]

Thank you all for your wonderful and warm replies to my original post. Thank you for understanding and making me feel welcome. I really appreciate it.