I heard the sitter being paged to the phone.  I was in and out of my patients rooms checking on them.  When I came out, I saw my friend Kelly, one of the nurses, with the sitter hugging her as she cried uncontrollably out in the hall.  Kelly told me she had just learned that her father had died.  Kelly said, "Ginny, can you please stay with her?  I've got to give a pre-op."  I said, "Of course!"  Since my dad had died only a few years before, I had much compassion for her because I knew what she was going through.  I had her sit down and let her cry on my shoulder.  I started crying too. 

She just kept saying, "My daddy...my daddy..." and sobbing.  This brought back intense feelings of grief for me too. Then I noticed a subtle "presence".  I did not know who this was, but somehow I just knew it was her dad.  He was comforting his daughter and me too!  I'll never know if she was aware that her dad was there at that moment or not.  (Probably not; grief numbs you to these subtle experiences.  Please take note!)

It felt like he was hugging both of us and personally thanking me for being there for her.  It was a very peaceful feeling.  I noticed she seemed to feel a peacefulness too.  It took a while for me to process what was happening and understand that it was real, therefore I didn't tell this girl what I was feeling.  I should have been used to it by that time, since it was my fourth ADC experience.  But does one ever "get used to it"??  I never saw her again.  I hope she finds this website, reads it, and knows that it is her.  That's why I'm including my email address.  I worked at Emory University Hospital between 1993 and 1998.

Did you sense an awareness or presence of the deceased without actually seeing, hearing, feeling or smelling them ?  No
      Describe:  I only felt the presence of someone I did not know.

Did you hear the deceased or hear something associated with the deceased?  No
    
Did you feel a touch or experience any physical contact from the deceased?  Yes

      Where and how were you touched?  It felt like a hug.

      Was the touch familiar?  Unfamiliar.

      Was anything communicated by the touch?  Peace, compassion.

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

Did you see the deceased?  No

How long did the experience last?  A few minutes.

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?  I was gradually aware of this presence.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?  Much compassion for his daughter and gratitude toward me.
      Describe:  Much compassion for his daughter and gratitude toward me.

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

Was there any emotional healing in any way following the experience?  Yes
      Describe:  I understood that we all receive comfort from our loved ones after they die.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?  Yes
      Describe:  Yes.  (See my other ADC's.)

Have you ever made a death compact?  No
        
Did you ever in your life have a near-death experience, out of body experience or other spiritual event?  No comment
      Describe:  Spiritual experiences like this one and many others.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?  Yes

      Describe:  Please see my other ADC's.

Has the experience affected your relationships?  Daily life?  Religious practices etc.?  Career choices?  Ditto.

Have you shared this experience with others?  Yes

      Describe:  Some believed it.  Some were unsure.  They probably think I have a screw loose.  I don't.  I'm a very grounded, practical-minded person.  I'm the kind of person who never has, or never admits, to having these kinds of experiences.

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

What emotions/feelings did you experience following your experience?  Just peace.  As I said it took a while to process this and understand that it was her dad who came to comfort her.  If I'd been sure of it at the time, I would have shared it with her.  I feel guilty for not having shared it with her now.  I wish I had.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?  See above.

Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?  No.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?  Yes

      Describe:  See my other ADC's.

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?  No
        
Did the questions asked and information you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience?  Yes
       
Please offer any suggestions you may have to improve this questionnaire:  No.  Thank you for letting me share all my experiences.  I hope they are comforting to those who read them.