Hattie's ADC
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Experience description:

The first happened only a few days after my grandmothers death. I live in IL. I grew up in TN where my family still resides. I got news that my mamaw (southern for grandmother) was sick. My husband and I left to go to TN the next day. We didn't make it in time. She passed away before I got there. We went to the funeral and spent time  with my family and then had to get on the road to go home. We stopped at a mall on our way out of TN. When we were finished shopping, my husband went to get the car while I  waited in the lobby. I was alone. I heard my mamaw say my name, as clear as a bell. I looked around and saw no one. I then felt a touch on the right side of my face. My husband pulled up in the car and I got in. The right side of my face continued to tingle for around 30 minutes afterwards.

The second was just a couple of days ago. My husband had a bad accident but was fine. That night after returning from the hospital, I tried to go to sleep but couldn't. I was so upset over the day's events. I prayed silently to myself (my husband was asleep already) that I could calm down and sleep peacefully. At that moment, I felt as if a hand was stroking my forehead. I felt this feeling for quite some time. I calmed down immediately. As I drifted off to sleep I still felt this. I had the most peaceful sleep I've ever had. The whole time I had the feeling it was my grandmother. I didn't even question what it was. I just knew.

Was this experience difficult to express in words? 

Uncertain


The experience was very clear and positive to myself, but difficult to relay to my spouse.

Did you hear the deceased or hear something associated with the deceased?         

Yes


            Describe what you heard, how clearly you heard it and what was communicated:  

answered in #3


            Did the voice or sound seem to originate externally or outside of you, inside you, or did you not hear a voice or sound, but had a sense of knowing what was communicated? 

externally; as if someone was physically there.


            If you heard a voice or sound, was it similar or dissimilar from the voice or sound the deceased made when they were alive?          

exactly the voice of my mamaw


            Is there any possibility what you heard was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?          

no. I was alone.


            Was there any possible impairment to your hearing at the time of the experience?  

no


Did you feel a touch or experience any physical contact from the deceased?           

Yes


answered in #3

            Was the touch familiar or unfamiliar?  

familiar. my mamaw always stoked my face to comfort me.


            Was anything communicated by the touch? 

no


            Is there any possibility what you felt was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience? 

no


How long did the experience last?       

a few minutes


Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?        

1st experience- beginning sudden -ending gradual

2nd experience- beginning gradual- ending gradual

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?          

Yes


I just felt that she was concerned.

How do you currently view the reality of your experience?          

Experience was probably real


            Please explain why you view the reality of your experience as real or not real:         

I can't explain why I feel it was certain. I just know what happened. My husband thinks it was in my mind. But I know it really happened.


            Was the experience dream like in any way?  

No


Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:          

1st experience- confusion. wondering if I imagined it.

2nd experience- comfort. I knew she was there and trying to comfort me.

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

Uncertain


While the experience was comforting, it leaves me wanting more. Mostly I want to validate that it did really happen. I am about 99 percent certain it did, but I feel the need for total validation.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?     

Best-the feeling of comfort at the time.  Worst-questioning my belief system after the experience.


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

Uncertain


            Describe:     

I find that I want to learn about other religious aspects or possibilities other than Baptist.


Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?           

No


It only left me with questions. I was raised Baptist, and their doctrine specifies that spirit contact of any kind is prohibited. But it happened to me. I feel that I am questioning my values. I find myself asking if what I learned as child is really true. I then feel a certain amount of guilt for questioning.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?           

1st experience- confusion.

2nd experience- peacefulness.

Have you shared this experience with others?        

Yes

My husband thinks it was a hallucination as if in a dream like state (for the 2nd experience) and brought on by grief (in the first experience).

Have you shared this experience formally or informally with any other researcher or web site?  

Yes


Yes. But I can't remember the website.

 Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?      

I would just like any info on what has happened to me. I have an overwhelming curiosity now, and I feel the need to know it was real or unreal.


Were there any associated medications or substances with the potential to affect the experience?            No

Following the experience, have you had any other events in your life, medications or substances which reproduced any part of the experience?        

No 


Did you ever in your life have a near-death experience, out of body experience or other spiritual event?          

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 Very thorough questionnaire.