Outside, I saw the neighbors gathered across the street watching the paramedics driving to a house on that side and two doors up to the O'Donald's home. I could see two paramedics get out to attend the emergency at that home. I did not join the neighbors, but stood by myself on our front lawn. 

I had been practicing "out-of-body" methods since I was in a bad car accident ten years past (1979); it helped me meditate to relieve my physical suffering. As I stood there, I was wondering who the paramedics were working on, and "my spirit" rose out of my body to hover over the scene. I could see they were working on Mr. O'Donald. Overhead, two spirits (angels with green wings) came down to get him, but I was in the way, and they grabbed me by the elbows instead. I tried to convince them that they had the wrong person, but they wouldn't listen to me. I told my physical body to stay standing where it was. The spirit on my right was amused at my protests that they needed to take Mr. O'Donald, not me, but would not let me go. The spirit on my left looked very serious and held on to me very tightly. We rose into the sky very quickly. It seemed like we were going a long distance from Earth. I saw a bright light coming closer and closer. It was like the sun, but not hot and not hard to look at, in fact, I was mesmerized by it. Beautiful rainbow colors surrounded the light. When I arrived in front of the Being of Light I transferred my thought that the spirits had brought the wrong person to It, they were suppose to bring Mr. O'Donald. Looking around, all I could see the Light stretching for miles around us, and that there was a presence of other beings, but I couldn't see them.  Then I felt very humble and unworthy, even though up to that time I had been a good person, I felt awful to be such a sinner in Its presence. The Light showered me with Love, Peace, and Forgiveness. I felt blessed. There is no way to describe exactly how wonderful I felt.  

The Being asked me, "Don't you want to come too?" And I said, "No, not yet." I felt as if the beings surrounding us felt sorry for me.  

I saw a feminine hand reaching out to me. At that moment, I was back in my body standing on my front lawn. I saw the paramedics closing their doors and driving away with their sirens on.  I went inside and told my mother what I saw. She called one of the neighbors, and they said that the paramedics had taken Mr. O'Donald to the hospital. Later in the evening the neighbor called my mother and told her Mr. O'Donald had passed away. We went to the funeral. I've only talked about this experience in front of people I trust. I've written about it in my journals.  

I'm skeptical of what happened to me, until I remember that Mr. O'Donald died that day. How would I have known that the spirits were there to take him, not me, and I got in the way of their mission.

At the time of your experience was there an associated life-threatening event?   No 

Was the experience difficult to express in words?  Yes     The experience seemed more real than life on Earth.

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness?    I felt very conscious during the whole experience, but most especially while in the presence of the Light.

How did your highest level of consciousness and alertness during the experience compare to your normal everyday consciousness and alertness?      More consciousness and alertness than normal   I felt as if I knew everything about the universe.

Please compare your vision during the experience to your everyday vision that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   Life seemed dull and dreary compared to the experience of seeing such an incredibly immense Being of Light.

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience.   I was able to hear thoughts, not sounds.

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?   At first I was ashamed, then I felt extreme happiness and the feeling of being loved unconditionally.  

Did you pass into or through a tunnel?   Uncertain   I went through a tunnel in a previous fainting spell. But this time I couldn't tell if I was in a tunnel.

Did you see an unearthly light?   Yes   Yes, it was warm with love and peace.

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
The voice asked me if I wanted to pass over.

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?   No  

Did you become aware of past events in your life during your experience?   No  

Did you seem to enter some other, unearthly world?   A clearly mystical or unearthly realm

Did time seem to speed up or slow down?   No

Did you suddenly seem to understand everything?   Everything about the universe
I felt as if I possessed a key to all knowledge.

Did you reach a boundary or limiting physical structure?   No

Did you come to a border or point of no return?   I came to a definite conscious decision to "return" to life
I wanted to return to be of help to my daughter and son, especially my son who was only six years old.

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   The experience seemed very real, more real than life here on Earth. The fact that Mr. O'Donald died later that day, confirms it for me, but I am skeptical at times. When I dream or daydream, it never can match what I experienced.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that God or a supreme being either does (or does not) exist?   Yes   In real life I have never experienced such love and peace.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that you either did (or did not) exist prior to this lifetime?   No  

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness that a mystical universal connection or unity/oneness either does (or does not) exist?   Yes   I felt connected to everyone in the universe.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s meaning or purpose?   Uncertain   Our difficulties, challenges and hardships will pass.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding earthly life�s difficulties, challenges, or hardships?   Uncertain   Our difficulties, challenges and hardships will pass.

During your experience, did you encounter any specific information / awareness regarding love?   Yes   It is important to love one another no matter how great or small, rich or poor, etc.

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   We all need to help one another get through our hardships. Love and kindness are the most important gifts we can give to one another. We are all connected.

Did you have a sense of knowing special knowledge or purpose?   Yes   I felt as if I would be able to play the piano, even though I can't. I also felt as if I could heal physical ailments in people. I felt as if a mission to help people was waiting for me.

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   I always felt is was important to be kind to other people, but the experience made me realize that all mankind is suffering while we are on Earth. It is very important to help one another to suffer less. I want other people and myself to attain Heaven.

How accurately do you remember the experience in comparison to other life events that occurred around the time of the experience?   I remember the experience more accurately than other life events that occurred around the time of the experience   I can better remember the experience more accurately than who was President, what songs were popular, what was in the news at the time, and any other event in my life.

Discuss any changes that might have occurred in your life after your experience:   Immediately after the experience I felt I could heal anyone, so I healed my son's foot sore. But I am afraid to tell people I have that gift, because I don't think they will believe me.

I started attending church on a weekly basis, but I stopped attending five years ago because the priest was mean to me, and another person told me I was unworthy to receive communion.

I felt I had a mission to help the people of Mexico, so I concentrated on helping the Tarahumara people in Chihuahua. That was, until 911 happened, which made it more difficult to travel to Mexico.

I don't ever try to meditate or do out-of-body exercises anymore, however I pray more often than I use to do.

In denial of the experience I have been a little more wretched to the point of fearing facing the Light again and being rejected by it.

Now I hope to see the Light again, and I'm wanting to lead a better life, but I am struggling to find my way again.

My experience directly resulted in:   Moderate changes in my life

Did you have any changes in your values or beliefs after the experience that occurred as a result of the experience?   Yes   I have a larger capacity to care for others.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?   Next time I'm asked if I want to transfer over, I'll say yes. I won't be so prideful about my life on Earth.

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience?   Uncertain   Immediately afterwards I believed I could heal others, but now I'm uncertain.

Are there one or several parts of your experience that are especially meaningful or significant to you?     Next time I'm asked if I want to transfer over, I'll say yes. I won't be so prideful about my life on Earth.

Have you ever shared this experience with others?   Yes  I told my mother and husband immediately afterwards, but they were skeptical. My mother was surprised when she verified that Mr. O'Donald did indeed die. I've shared the experience with friends when the topic of life-after-death comes up. They look stunned when I tell them. I don't know if they believe me.

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience?   Yes   I read Dr. Moody's book prior to the experience. The difference between my experience and what I read is that I wasn't near death, I was alive and standing straight up on my front lawn. I didn't see a tunnel and I didn't see people who had passed on before me. I was standing in the way of Mr. O'Donald's path to heaven.

What did you believe about the reality of your experience shortly (days to weeks) after it happened:   Experience was definitely real   Earth was so unreal. The experience was more real than anything I'd ever experiences.

What do you believe about the reality of your experience at the current time:   Experience was probably real   It happened nearly 25 years ago. I am so earthbound.

Have your relationships changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Yes   I divorced myself from my husband.

Have your religious beliefs/spiritual practices changed specifically as a result of your experience?   Uncertain   At first I started attending mass and penance on a weekly basis. I stopped going to church and confession five years ago.

At any time in your life, has anything ever reproduced any part of the experience?   No  

Is there anything else that you would like to add about your experience?   I am uncertain about whether it really happened or whether it I dreamt it. However, details about the experience makes me think it was real.

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?   Yes   The questions seemed to cover the whole experience.

Please offer any suggestions that you may have to improve this questionnaire.  Are there any other questions that we could ask to help you communicate your experience?                    You might ask if the experience affected one negatively in any way.