I looked at one of my sisters, because if I felt this strongly, how could she not feel it?  I didn't say anything to anyone at that time because I just couldn't put it into words.  After awhile, we insisted Mother lie down and try to rest and over the next several hours everyone else went to bed with the exception of one of my sisters and I.  We sat up with Daddy and I still could feel the presences all around the outside of the house.  They were sometimes more insistent than other times.  They would close in and then back off.   I could hear sounds coming from them or around them.  It was almost a humming sound. I thought if I could hear them clearly I might have understand what they were saying.  I didn't have a bad feeling about them.  As a matter of fact, it was rather comforting.  I couldn't see them, but I felt (strongly) them.  It was as though they were waiting. 

It was about 3:00 a.m. when Daddy asked us to open the door.  The birds were in concert even though it was still dark outside.  The air was cool and any other time he would have been too cool, but that wasn't the case that morning. A couple of hours before he died, he jerked and my sister and I went over to him and held him on either side.  He said, "I'm dying. That's it, I'm dying." He then asked us (very matter-of-factly) to get Mother.  He then slumped over and never sat back up.  Mother came in and cradled his head in her lap until he died. At times, before he died, he would raise his arm up as if to touch her and at other times it was like he was trying to reach out to something else. 

After he died, the strong feeling(s) and the presences left and I knew he was finally without pain and at peace.  I had watched his face those last couple of hours and knew he was leaving us.  I couldn't seem to take my eyes away from his face.  Even after the coroner came, pronounced him dead and they took him away, I knew that Daddy was no longer there.  His body was only a shell.  His soul/spirit had left that body.

I now believe I know why I was the only person present that night who experienced what I did.  Four years later, I had to identify my husband's body after he committed suicide.  Putting myself back to the night Daddy died was the only thing that kept me going. 

Any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?     No      

Was the kind of experience difficult to express in words? Yes     What I was feeling was so strong, it was like I could see....

At the time of this experience, was there an associated life threatening event?          No      

What was your level of consciousness and alertness during the experience?           I was very alert and very aware of what was happening.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     No      

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            I was startled at the beginning.  Than a comforting, loving feeling.

Did you hear any unusual sounds or noises?           Yes. For one split second heard a voice that said "Daddy" from the back of the house near the back door.  I got the impression it was my deceased brother.  It was as though he was saying something else, but I heard his voice for only a second or two. Also a humming sound.

LOCATION DESCRIPTION:  Did you recognize any familiar locations or any locations from familiar religious teachings or encounter any locations inhabited by incredible or amazing creatures?            Uncertain      I would just have to say "the other side." And it was wonderful.  So I guess that may be Heaven.

Did you see a light?           Uncertain     

Did you meet or see any other beings?           Yes     I felt them so strongly, it was like I was seeing them.  I felt like I may have known some of them.  They felt very protective.

Did you experiment while out of the body or in another, altered state? No      

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          No      

Did you notice how your 5 senses were working, and if so, how were they different?          Yes     My hearing seemed magnified.

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

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    Yes     I experienced love and a comforting feeling coming from the shapes/beings.  And that we are here for a reason.  Also, there's something wonderful on the other side.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?             Yes     A part of me wanted to experience more, possibly communicate, but I feel it wasn't meant to be, at that time.

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?      Yes     I felt my husband around me at different times after he died.  Also, shortly after I met my present husband, I had several experiences relating to his deceased wife.  I had never known her, but after these experiences I felt like I knew her spiritually.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     My faith became much stronger.

How has the experience affected your relationships? Daily life? Religious practices? Career choices?       I know that we're here on Earth for a short time and we should cherish and hold close our loved ones.  I now attend a church fairly regularly that I joined a couple of years ago. I was raised a Baptist, but hadn't attended church in years. I am now Episcopalian.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         No response           

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     Only family and a few other people.  I usually don't share my experiences unless they share an experience first.  Some family members, I feel, don't understand or believe what I experienced. A few are very receptive (they've had unexplained things happened to them also).  My husband was, I believe,  influenced.  He believes it was a gift.

What emotions did you experience following your experience?  One of joy and hope, even though it happened the night my father died.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The best part, I feel, was that my faith was restored.

Is there anything else you would like to add concerning the experience?        Just that after having this experience, I've had some wonderful conversations (some with complete strangers) who've had like experiences.  There's a connection there, a oneness.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?         Yes     I'm a bit reluctant to share this (and I rarely do), but I did have an experience that was out of body.  My husband and I were sitting at our bar in the kitchen one night and out of nowhere it felt like someone walked "through" me. I felt it was his deceased wife.  Shortly after this, we were in bed, almost asleep, and suddenly she was in my body. It was like I was seeing and feeling what she felt.  I don't know how I knew it was her, except for the emotions I felt.  It was like she wanted my husband to know, through me, that everything was all right, wonderful actually.  It took me some time to tell my husband what had happened.  But he understood.  He had felt her around him several times.  I haven't felt her around me after that night.

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