Before my husband died we had always talked about whoever was to go first we would do whatever we could to let the other person know that we were ok and that heaven was real.  We had a secret word between ourselves and we would find a way to communicate it to the other person.  It was my first night alone at home and I was talking to him and telling him everything I wish I had done or said and how sorry I was that I couldn't save his life that night.  I started saying the word over and over to remind him that he was supposed to get a message back to me and let me know he was all right.  I had the cat in my lap and all of a sudden it was like she saw something and was following something with big eyes until it stopped right behind me as I was sitting on the sofa.  I could feel a bone chilling cold and it felt like it was all around me.  I picked up my cell phone to check a message on the voicemail which came in completely clear but after it ended I could hear static and what sounded like voices.  Next thing I hear is our secret word and it sounded exactly like my husband's voice.  I had the phone on speaker but when I shut off the phone it was still going and all I could hear was static. It lasted for at least a minute, maybe longer. I could feel him in the room.  I know he was with me.  Later after I felt he was gone I checked the phone again to see if I could hear it again but everything was clear and there was no static.

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?            Yes

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:    I heard my husband say our secret word.  The phone had static except when I heard him say it.

            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

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

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

            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?            No

Did you see the deceased?         No

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

How long did the experience last?        I would say probably 4-5 minutes where I felt his presence.

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

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

I could sense that he was really worried about me.  I was and still am having a hard time dealing with his death.

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know?  No

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 believe it was real because besides this happening other things have been happening to myself and others in the family.  For instance my dad's cell phone dialed the home phone by itself right after he had brought in the pictures of my husband that he had blown up for the funeral.  I picked up my husbands phone and it dialed his daughter.  There have been many strange things happening.

            Was the experience dream like in any way?   No

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:           I felt happy and excited. It was the first time I had smiled since his death.

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

Just by knowing he was ok made me feel better but it didn't take away my sorrow.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?      The best part was I could feel presence all around me.  The worst was when it ended but I still felt like he was looking out for me.

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 am definitely a believer now.

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?        Yes

We had a secret word that we would communicate to the other.

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?            I felt happy for him because he had Multiple Sclerosis and was in so much pain before his death.  I knew that he was ok and in a better place now. I also felt more sad because I miss his so much.

Did any part of your experience seem to occur in a place other than the location described above?            No

Have you shared this experience with others?         Yes     Anyone I've told says they believe me.  I had a very strong connection with my husband that most people who knew us knew about.  It does not surprise them that he kept his promise to me.

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

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