What happens to us after death? That is a question that can be answered most closely by those who have been clinically dead, and have come back to tell their stories. One such person, a friend of mine has had the experience of being clinically dead on two separate occasions. On each occasion, she found herself in a garden at the foot of a bridge, crossing over a beautiful stream. She said that she knew if she were to cross the bridge, she would not be going back into her body. Others have relayed there experiences and although the specific settings may be different, the feelings and the beings that they encounter are very similar. Here is one very common type of experience, as relayed by Sharon G: "It was a rainy Saturday morning in Kansas City as I recall that winter day in New Orleans back in, 19650- Standing at the kitchen sink in our new home, I was thinking of my Military husband who departed a week before for severals years in Ireland. My two daughters, age 5 years, and 17 months, were playing near me. We were to join my husband in a few weeks, How wonderful our life was, and how fortunate we were. A years earlier, I had been an atheist now I was a Christian and had a Christian home and family. Death Paid a Visit As I stood in the sunroom, pain suddenly riveted through my abdomen and brought me to my knees. Within half an hour, I was too weak to stand on my feet. My concern was for my kids and I called my sister to come and help. As a physical therapist, I knew something major was happening and I was trying to keep my head together so I could rationalize about the source of the pain. The week before, I had visited the gynecologist because I knew I was pregnant. After examining me, she told me that I was NOT pregnant. I knew that she was wrong! I had been pregnant twice before, and I knew that I was this time again! As I lay on my bed in pain, I knew what my body was telling me, I WAS pregnant, but it was not a normal pregnancy! It was a tubular one! The pain I was feeling was caused by the rupturing of my tube as the baby grew, and that I was hemorrhaging. Our minister and his family came to by bedside to pray along with my sister. After Death The trip to the hospital was excruciating. Upon arrival, my sister and I were told to wait, even though my symptoms were made known to the staff. I was finally put on a bed in an examining room, when I began to feel my life slipping away and my thoughts were of my children and what would happen to them, who would love and care for them? My hearing was excellent, I could hear every word being said in that room. There were two doctors there with three assistants. I could tell they were worried as they tried to find a heart beat and blood pressure, This was the moment that I began to float toward the ceiling where I stopped and looked down at the scenario taking place below. There was my own lifeless body on the bed and one doctor said to the doctor as he was walking through the door, "where have you been, we called you, now its too late, she is gone, we can't get a heart beat and there is no blood pressure." Another doctor said, " what are we going to say to her husband, he's on assignment in Ireland and only been gone a week." From up above them, I said to myself, "Yes, what are you going to tell my husband, that is a good question. Pretty thoughtful of you." I remember thinking at that point, "How can I be humorous at a time like this?" I did not see myself below on the table or the occupants of the room anymore. I was suddenly aware of the most heavenly light that was all encompassing. My pain was gone and my body felt free. I felt complete joy and contentment. I heard the most beautiful music that could only have come from heaven, I was thinking, "so this is what is sounds like in heaven. " I became aware of a sense of peace that is impossible in human form to comprehend. I began to look at this light and perceived what was happening to me and I never wanted to leave. I was in the presence of a divine being. I did not see Him, but He was there in the light and spoke to me in what would be considered a telepathic manner. I felt the overflowing Love of the being. He said to me that I had to return to my little children and there was work for me to complete on earth. I did not want to leave but I slowly returned to my body, which by this time had been moved to another room, being prepared for surgery. I became conscious long enough for staff to explain that my heart began to beat again and I was going to surgery so that the tubal pregnancy could be removed. I was not aware of anything from this point on for many hours. Visitation at Bedside Heaven had another message for me while I was in my body. I was in a recovery room after surgery, when the most divine moment of my life occurred. The heavenly light returned again, completely filling the room. This time, a vision of Jesus appeared to me out of the light and He was beautiful, He filled the room with His presence and love and mercy were there. The vision I saw of Him included His shoulders to the top of His head. He spoke telepathically to me saying, "Remember what I have said to you, remember how I have revealed myself to you and it will be a comfort and stable source to you in years to come and the work that you will do, Now, you know that you do not have to fear death." The next days In the next few days of my hospital stay, I had a lot of hospital staff members finding excuses to visit my room. News travels fast in hospitals and everyone knew that I had been clinically dead and then revived. My bible was at my side and when the doctor visited me, he took note of it and asked me about my religious beliefs. I knew he had heard what I told some staff members that came to visit me. They had been present when I was pronounced dead. After I recovered, I told them about their entire conversations during my death. They were shocked to hear me repeat verbatim what they had said while I was dead. Leaving the hospital a few days later, driving up to our home, our 2 children were at the window looking for us. I said in my heart, "Thank you God for letting me come home to my babies! The Following Years Later, we joined my husband in Ireland and carried out our mission of working with kids. My experience with death gave a new perspective in my work with kids. Returning to the States, my family grew and I continued my work and education, teaching at an inner city school, and then as a university professor. I have always been thankful that I was returned to my body and given a second chance. The mercy and love of God is enduring." This is just one example of what people experience when they die.
