My wife had passed away just over two months previously. My emotional state had deteriorated since she died, I was grieving hard and suffering anxiety. It was, also, the anniversary of my mother's death. For the previous 30 years my wife and I had marked the occasion with a special meal. So, for the first time in 30 years I was marking the occasion of my mother's passing on my own.

Together with the grief and anxiety, I was in a very sad and lonely place - it was probably the saddest day of my life. So, I 'spoke' to my wife (something I've done almost since she passed away, as it brings me solace and I have some sense of her presence). In an anguished fashion I asked her, very specifically, to have a close friend text me between 1pm and 2pm. I asked for a text because my friend would not be in a position to talk and it's the main way we communicate, also I specified the time because 1pm was the earliest she would be free.

At thirteen minutes past one, I received a text from my friend asking if I was OK, because she thought a friend was in trouble and it was most likely me. I texted back that it was me and I explained the situation.

From my end, apart from my request/prayer being answered just as I'd asked, there was no drama other than I felt somewhat less lonely. From my friend's viewpoint it was another matter, entirely: She returned to her car and turned the radio on. Instead of a signal her ears were assailed by loud white noise and interference. The radio would not turn off and on the screen where the channel name or frequency should be were the numbers '999'. In the UK that means exactly the same as 911.

As a last point, my friend had the presence of mind to take a photo showing the '999'. Also, she has attempted a number of times to replicate the incident, especially the readout of the emergency services number, but she has had no success.

Background Information:

Was this experience difficult to express in words? 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?      Talking to my wife, as long as it takes to ask. The friend's experience about three to four minutes.

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

Could you sense the emotions or mood of the deceased?          No

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know?  Only that she can communicate by any means necessary, that she can influence others and that she listens to me.

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:   Another was involved and she communicated with me. I made a very specific request and the answer fit perfectly with what I'd asked.

          Was the experience dream like in any way?  No

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:  Amazement, vindication of my beliefs, uplifted to know that my late wife (or something spiritual) listens to me and responds. (Based on other experiences, I've no doubt it is my wife's spirit.)

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

For about another week (corresponding with the anniversary of my mother's funeral), I continued to feel very low, but then very slowly and gradually I began to heal.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?          Worst, the anxiety before. Best, the uplifting and (temporary) relief from the anxiety.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience? Uncertain                 Describe:     Along with other experiences, it has eased my grieving. While I fear dying (or the manner thereof), I do not fear death. Without being morbid, or the least bit suicidal, I look forward to rejoining my wife.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?      Yes    Confirmation and reinforcement of what I believed already, rather than new beliefs.

Did the experience give you any spiritual understandings such as life, death, afterlife, God, etc.?         Yes          Confirmation in the existence of God, that the Universe is cyclical

Did you observe or hear anything regarding people or events during your experience that could be verified later?          Yes The photo my friend took showing the emergency services number. Also, the texts themselves. My phone has wiped these, but I'm not sure if my friend still has them.

What emotions did you feel during the experience?          Uplifted, a temporary lifting of the grief and anxiety.

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?          Yes

Experience involved a friend texting me

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

Did you become aware of future events?      No

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

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    Tended to affirm their beliefs. I do not share with non-believers, as there are none do blind...

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 at present

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 think it was an out of body experience many years ago. It was during a dream and it was by far the most vivid, lucid and most memorable dream I've ever had. I've also seen the ghost of a living person and she was clearly visible for around give minutes. I had time to check that there was nothing causing an optical illusion and I could see clearly what she was wearing (a grey cat-suit, fashionable at the time).

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.       None, at present