I was awakened by someone "shaking" my shoulder in a effort to wake me. I was so unbelievably exhausted. I was a single parent, working full time, and my 4 month old daughter was born with some severe medical problems, so there was always a procedure to do, something to be done.  Once I was awake, I heard my daughter crying very loudly. As I sat up on the bedside, I saw a figure standing in the hall. It was Granny. I wasn't scared, but I called out to her and she pointed to my daughter's room.  I was attempting to put on a robe and shoes, but just walked to the hallway. At that point, Granny went away. But, I know she was there because I could smell her. I can't explain the smell, but it was Granny.  I went into my daughter's room and she was wide awake, grinning at me. No tears, no obvious signs of distress.  I checked her over, rocked her for a few minutes and she went back to sleep.  Oddly enough, so did I.  I've always believed Granny came to wake me because I obviously wasn't tending to her great-granddaughter to suit her.  As always, Granny was helping.

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

Gently nudging of the shoulder

            Was the touch familiar or unfamiliar? 

Familiar. It just felt familiar. It didn't frighten me at all, other than being awakened.

          Was anything communicated by the touch? 

An urgency. Just a feeling that I needed to wake up and be aware.

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

No. I was alone in my bed, in my room.  My baby was in her room, in her crib.

Did you see the deceased?       

Yes

She was beautiful. Just as I remembered her. She had on a blue "dress" for lack of a better term. It was light blue, very feminine. Her hair was white and beautiful, not fancy fixed or anything. Just like she always wore it.

            How clearly did the deceased appear?            Not solid, but clearly enough for me to know it was her. She smiled when I called out 'Granny'.

            How much of the deceased did you see?       I remember the head, shoulders and the dress I described, but below that, I can't be sure.

            Did the deceased appear or not appear to be the age at which they died?            She was Granny, just as she looked the day I said goodbye.

            How healthy did the deceased appear to be?            Granny had been unable to walk for over a year before her death due to a stroke. She had regained the ability to speak, and was very clear headed at her death. That night, she moved her arms, she spoke, but I couldn't hear her. Her lips moved, her arms motioned me, but that was it.

            Is there any possibility what you saw was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?           My husband and I had separated and ultimately divorced a few months later. I lived alone in a house with my daughter. Granny had lived in that house as well while she was helping to raise me.

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

Yes

          What smell, scent, fragrance or odor did you smell?       

It was a mixture of body smells, and perfume I suppose.

          Was the smell, scent, fragrance or odor familiar?  

Very familiar. Granny wore a dusting powder, but I can't remember the name of it.

          Was anything communicated by the smell?  

It sent a message to my brain that I immediately recognized.

          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?      

I really don't remember. It seemed like a few minutes, but it was only a few seconds I'm sure.

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

My baby was crying and even though I wanted to be with Granny, to talk to her, I had to get my daughter.

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?         

Yes

She seemed happy, but anxious over the baby crying. When I called out to her, she smiled.

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

None given.

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 saw her. I smelled her. I was awake because I tended to my baby. The next days I had this renewed strength about me that I could raise this baby, get through a divorce, and live to tell about it.

          Was the experience dream like in any way? 

No

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:         

Confused because I knew Granny was gone. Excited because she was back and I had so much to tell her!

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

Yes

Just a feeling that I could do whatever it took to take care of my little girl.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?   

The best was that she woke me to care for my baby. The worst is that it left me wanting to hear from her, or see her again.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?            Yes    Just more self-confidence.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?          Contentment.

Did you see a light?         Yes

Just a faint light around Granny.

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    I've told my now 20 y/o daughter and she loves hearing about it. I've told her all about Granny, my upbringing and how much I learned.

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

 Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?          Nothing I can think of.

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?  Uncertain 

At my daughter's birth, I became unconscious after being told of her medical problems. I remember watching the doctors work on me, rushing around, I didn't understand. I don't remember much else.

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