I had never seen anything like that, and it was scary to me. I felt very sorry for her though, because she was pretty much ignored by a lot of the employees there. I would hear her all the time, calling out "nuuuuuuurse." A lot of the aides avoided going in the room because they would ultimately be in there for a while, because of the nature of her illness.

I was assigned to her side of the floor, and that was where I grew to love her. She was a hard patient to work on, because she was slow, and frail, but I am tall and in good health and it was not as much of a burden to me as it would have been to the majority of aides there. She started telling me that I was her favorite, and I would respond to this positive reinforcement by being even more accommodating and patient to her needs. Soon, she was calling out "Debbieeeeeeeeeeee" and the nurses would come and get me. She was very alert mentally, and would try to smile with her lips, but they didn't work right, but I still remember the sparkle in her eyes when I would tell her something that amused her.

After about a year, I left the nursing home to pursue my studies full time. One day I received a call from Anna's daughter. Anna had been brought home to die, and could I come over to baby-sit while the family went to dinner.

Anna was in a bed in the living room with pieces of her antique furniture placed around the bed. I was very frightened when I first saw her in this unusual setting, but I was young, and had not been exposed to this level of illness or dying. She was in a coma. The daughter said "she can't hear a word your saying, she doesn't know your here, so don't be scared dear."

While the family was out, I sat by the bed, not really knowing what to do. I leaned over the bed and took her hand in mine and just looked at her. Her head was tilted back and her mouth was open, and it was black inside, and dry. It looked like tanned leather to me, and I felt terrible to see her like this. I got a wet rag and tried to wet her lips.  I started saying "Mrs. Dunn, it's me, Debbie. I've come to see you." and things like that.

Suddenly, she made a noise. It was dry and raspy and I never knew what she was trying to say, but she was looking at me or at least in my direction, and trying to say something. I started crying and just kept talking to her, until she slipped away into the coma again.  When her daughter returned home, I told her to come look. I did the same thing and Anna did too. Her daughter could not believe her eyes.   Anna died two days later. I told my mother that I just felt terrible for that poor woman who had suffered so much. 

Not too long after that, I dreamed that I saw her in a beautiful tropical garden. She didn't say a word, but smiled radiantly at me. Then she slowly and deliberately lifted those hands up and turned them front and back as if to say "See? I don't shake anymore!"  I have never forgotten this experience and have been telling it, as well as others for years.

Was this experience difficult to express in words?  No

Did you feel a touch or experience any physical contact from the deceased?            No

Did you see the deceased?         Yes

She looked beautiful. About 60 years old and completely healed and happy. I feel that she appeared at this older age because I did not know her when she was young.

            How clearly did the deceased appear?            Clear and in a beautiful flowing dress.

            How much of the deceased did you see?       All of her

            Did the deceased appear or not appear to be the age at which they died?       She was a bit younger

            How healthy did the deceased appear to be?            She was absolutely healed, and her good health radiated in her smile.

            Is there any possibility what you saw was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           no

Did you smell a distinct smell, scent, fragrance or odor associated with the deceased?      Yes

            What smell, scent, fragrance or odor did you smell?           The tropical garden that she stood in was fragrant like orange blossom or something sweet.

            Was the smell, scent, fragrance or odor familiar?     It smelled like a beautiful garden, not a flower shop. It smelled alive.

            Is there any possibility that the smell, scent, fragrance or odor was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?        no

How long did the experience last?        It was like a vision, lasting moments instead of minutes

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?         sudden, but I didn't recall any other dream that night

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?           Yes

radiant and in glowing good health

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know?  she did not speak

How do you currently view the reality of your experience?           Experience was definitely real

            Please explain why you view the reality of your experience as real or not real:          I feel that God sent this vision to me to comfort me.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   Yes

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:           awe

Was there any emotional healing in any way following the experience?           Yes

I was relieved that she was healthy

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      She was healed and happy

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

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   No

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?            Yes, I know that God will comfort us.

Death Compacts are when two or more living people promise among themselves that whoever dies first will try to contact the other(s).  Have you ever made such a compact?        No

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            comfort

Did any part of your experience seem to occur in a place other than the location described above?            Yes, In a beautiful garden

Have you shared this experience with others?        

Yes, I would hope that they believe me

Have you shared this experience formally or informally with any other researcher or web site?   No

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