It was my fathers birthday and I was feeling very low.  I dreaded going to another family celebration without my spouse. So I thought I would go for a walk in a local nature park my husband and I would frequently visit to try and refocus my thoughts.

I was feeling lighter as I walked past the memorial tree my husbands family had planted on his behalf.. but it was dead.  So I thought I would go into the nature centre and ask when the tree would be replaced.  As I walked towards the front doors I removed my ear buds with my right hand and placed them in the left hand to open the door with my right.  I walked in and asked my question on his tree.

While speaking, I immediately began to feel my right hand sweat and feel a clenching pressure.  I opened my hand to find a shiny 2011 nickel.  The girls on the other side of the counter asked me if I was okay.. (I must have looked shocked) to which I do not know how I responded.  I turned and walked out and smiled and shouted up towards the sky. 

Here's why. 

First I have no idea how that nickel came into my palm.  Why its significant is that both my father of 86 years of age (as I said it was his b-day) and my husband collected nickels.  As my husband passed in 2010 his collection did not have the 2011 nickel, nor did my fathers.  You see my father took my husbands passing very hard and 6 days after my husbands service my father collapsed on his birthday January 9, 2011 and has not walked since.  

While I have found many nickels this past year I had not attributed them to my husband.. but I do now!

Was this experience difficult to express in words?  No

Did you ONLY sense an awareness of presence of the deceased without actually seeing, hearing, feeling or smelling them?            No

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?            No comment

I felt what I would describe as a vibration on the top of my head. Tingling, energy as if having my hair lightly caressed.

            Was the touch familiar or unfamiliar?   Very familiar.. I feel it whenever I sense my guys presence.

            Was anything communicated by the touch?  Just a feeling of Don't worry, I'm still here.

            Is there any possibility what you felt was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?  I do not believe so as it happens under many different conditions.

Did you see the deceased?         No

Wish!

Did you smell a distinct smell, scent, fragrance or odor associated with the deceased?      No

How long did the experience last?        Well I still have the nickel.. its in his collection now.

Was the beginning and end of the experience gradual or more sudden?         Beginning was sudden.. shocking.

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

elated.

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 it was real, as I can not explain how the nickel got in my hand.. the only explanation other than the attached is that it was stuck to the door handle.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No

My other experiences have been in a dream state.. this one.. blew me away.. as I was completely awake.          

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:           I was overjoyed.. pumped.. in awe.. and very proud of my man.

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

My grief is still heavy.. but I do find comfort in knowing that he is still with me.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      Best part it happened.. worst part it ended.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience?         Yes                 Describe:      I am cautious as people think I am a nut-bar now.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?   Yes     Our relationship has not ended, but rather has changed.  Our love is eternal.  For love does not die with breath.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?            Yes     Life continues.. our relationship continue.. just not as we once knew it.

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

Definitely not, we were never planning to be apart.

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          No

What emotions did you feel during the experience?            Uplifting emotions.

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?           Yes

It was observed but I did not describe what to them what was happening.

Did you have any sense of altered space or time?   No

Did you have a sense of knowing, special knowledge, universal order and/or purpose?    No

Did you become aware of future events?       No

Did you have any psychic, paranormal or other special gifts following the experience that you did not have prior to the experience?         Yes

I feel more enlightened and feel that my sense of knowing has been greatly heightened.

Did you experience a separation of your consciousness from your body?     No

Did you meet or see any other beings other than the deceased?            No

Did you see a light?           No

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     My Dad was overjoyed..

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

Guggenheim

 Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?       I hope that other individuals in the midst of grief have the opportunity to experience something similar.. as it provides comfort in knowing that life continues and our loved in is never far away.  It does not take the pain away.. but it does help.

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?           Yes 

I felt my husband visited me in a dream state.. as there was two way conversation.. in which I knew he was deceased.

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