Experience description:

I am reporting this as it was told to me by my daughter Melinda at age 10 (she is now 45). Melinda was receiving counseling for issues related to mortality. In February 1987 my grandmother died, then in June that year a man whom I had been in a relationship with had died by gunshot wound (he was an undercover narcotics agent). Melinda was afraid to sleep in her room and would not let me open her window at night.

One morning she told me about a dream she had the night before:

'I had a dream that I was in a dark tunnel and there was a light at the end. As I got closer to the end the light became brighter and brighter. It lead to place where there was a gate and a lot of people standing there. I saw great-grandma and she and I went for a walk. I saw James but I didn't talk to him. Inside the gate there was a golden sidewalk that we walked on. It led to a bridge that crossed water that was clear as crystal. (She described the vibrant colors, and a wall(s) made of gems, however, I cannot recall which ones). We to a park and sat down on a bench. There were other children there who were also visiting their grandparents. In the middle of the park was a big tree with purple fruit, but each time I looked at it, the fruit changed. There was a large golden fountain. As we walked on there was a large silver fountain at the other end of the park. We came to three huge chairs. I saw two sets of feet with sandals on them, but I was not able to see who sat there because it was too bright. I asked Grandma, 'Who's feet are these?' Then the dream ended.'

I told my daughter that what she described to me was Heaven and to get her Bible and open it to Revelation 21 and 22. Then we read it together.

The part I could not figure out was the three chairs and two sets of feet. I asked her about the third chair, but she insisted that she did not see a third set of feet. I concluded that the three chairs represented God the father, Jesus the son, and the holy spirit who may not appear in human form, therefore, Melinda would not have seen the holy spirit's feet.

A few years later Melinda was diagnosed with asthma. Since then, she has often wondered if she had an asthma attack and died the night of her 'dream' and came back.

I think she may have been given this experience, whether it was a dream or something else, so that she could know that my grandmother and James were okay and that she didn't have to worry any more.

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?      can't answer for her

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?         can't answer

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   can't say

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   can't say

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?   she didn't say  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   Yes   The experience began in a dark tunnel with a light at the end

Did you see an unearthly light?   Yes   Where the three chairs were... two beings were concealed within the bright light.

Did you seem to encounter a mystical being or presence, or hear an unidentifiable voice?   I encountered a definite being, or a voice clearly of mystical or unearthly origin
beings amid bright light

Did you encounter or become aware of any beings who previously lived on earth who are described by name in religions (for example: Jesus, Muhammad, Buddha, etc.)?   No  

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings?   Yes   great grandmother and mothers boyfriend

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   Uncertain  

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?   A clearly mystical or unearthly realm
gate with lots of people. Sidewalk of gold, crystal clear water, gemstones, tree with changing fruit, gold and silver fountains, two beings in light. Heaven as described in Revelation.

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?   Uncertain

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

Did scenes from the future come to you?  No 

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness suggesting that there either is (or is not) continued existence after earthly life (“life after death”)?   Uncertain  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   Uncertain  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   Uncertain  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   Uncertain  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s meaning or purpose?   Uncertain  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life’s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   Uncertain  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   Uncertain  

During your experience, did you encounter any other specific information / awareness that you have not shared in other questions that is relevant to living our earthly lives?   Uncertain  

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   Uncertain  

What occurred during your experience included:   Content that was both consistent and not consistent with the beliefs you had at the time of your experience   Melinda had been attending church for about one year. She did not have any knowledge of the details of Heaven as written in Revelation

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience?   I do not know how my remembrance of the experience compares to my remembrance of other life events that occurred around the time of the experience   Melinda said that she does not remember the dream as vividly now as she did when she was younger.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   After therapy and the dream, Melinda's anxiety, depression, and fear at night had much improved.

My experience directly resulted in:   Unknown

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?   Uncertain  

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   Uncertain  

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?     not sure

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   Uncertain 

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?   No  

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:   Experience was probably real   She wondered if she really died and went to Heaven then came back.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was probably real   Whether it was a dream or NDE, it was significant.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?      Uncertain

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Uncertain  

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?   Uncertain     

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Uncertain   I am describing what was told to me. I cannot answer any questions regarding sensory experiences other than what she saw visually... which was very vivid.gu14zts_nde