on the 7th of July 2018, less than 3 months after losing my son to suicide, I spoke to a medium.   The experience was amazing and I felt that I was truly speaking to my son.  Then she said "you will see his face in the sky".  I was not sure how, when or where this would happen.  In fact, I was not even sure this could happen.  On the 13th of August 2018, driving home from work in the late afternoon, I noticed an unusual cloud formation.  As I drove home (15km journey that took me about 40 minutes in traffic), the cloud formation remained in tact.  August is a windy month in South Africa, which would mean that the cloud formation changes very quickly, but not on this day.  As I drove home, I had called my friend on my mobile and I remember mentioning to her that the clouds were spectacular.  As soon as I got home, I took my phone and snapped a picture of the clouds.  I went inside and forgot about the photograph.

Two days later I was at the office, and something told me to look at the photograph that I took.  And that is when I saw it - my sons face in the sky.   

I doubted myself, and remember sending the picture to a friend of mine who also loved sunset and sunrise views.  When I saw him on the Friday, I asked him to show me the picture I had sent him the morning after I took the photograph, and there it was.  His face was there.  I was not seeing things.

This photograph has been my grief catalyst.  Who would of thought that I would capture a photograph of my son, after his death.  Its truly the most amazing gift, and evidence that life continues beyond the physical world.

Background Information:

Did you see the deceased?       Yes

I saw my sons face in the sky.  He looked exactly like he did before he passed away.

            How clearly did the deceased appear?            He appeared in a cloud formation and the face in the sky is very clear. (Upper left-hand corner of the picture)  You can see his details of his face, his note, eyes, ears, chin and even his hairstyle

            How much of the deceased did you see?       Full face

            Did the deceased appear or not appear to be the age at which they died?           Yes

            How healthy did the deceased appear to be?            Normal

            Is there any possibility what you saw was from any other source present in the surroundings at the time of your experience?   No.  I have the photograph of proof

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

How long did the experience last?      The cloud formation was in the sky on my entire journey home, although I did not see his face in the sky.  I am not sure how long his face was there before or after I took the photograph

Did the deceased give you information you did not previously know?  My son told me on 7th of July that I would see his face in the sky, and this came true 4 months after my discussion with the medium.

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 have the photograph as evidence.

          Was the experience dream like in any way?  No  

Describe in detail your feelings/emotions during the experience:  I thought my mind was playing games on me.  I looked at the photograph, and could not believe that I was actually seeing his face in the sky.  I took a photograph that I had of him when he was alive, and compared the face in the sky to that photograph - side by side - and there was no denying that it was my sons face in the sky.   I want to share this with the world - I want people to see what I saw, so that they will know that life continues, and especially when it comes to suicide!

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

It was my grief catalyst that helped me heal.  Whilst I will grieve forever, I look at this photograph every day knowing that my son still exists.  This photograph is the screen saver on every electronic device I have, and I have shared it with many other grieving mothers.

What was the best and worst part of your experience?          The best part is that I have two cellphones (a business phone and a personal phone).  I snapped the photograph of the sky on both phones that afternoon.  As I mentioned I was on a call with my friend driving home, and when I got home I was still on the pone with her.  I snapped the sky with my business phone and as soon as I ended the call with my friend on my personal phone, I also took a photograph. The face is in both photographs.

Has your life changed specifically as a result of your experience? Yes                Describe:     As mentioned before, I am a functioning grieving mother and I believe that seeing my sons face in the sky helped me to carry on.

Did you have any changes of attitudes or beliefs following the experience?      Yes    I have evidence that life continues beyond physical death.  I also believe in mediums even though this goes against my "religious conditioning".  I have not changed what I believed, but the way I believe.  I have gone from being religious to spiritual.

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

What emotions did you feel during the experience?          My grief has been eased.  I will be sad and miss my son for the rest of my life, but knowing that he is watching over me, makes the journey a lot easier.

Was the experience witnessed or experienced by others?          No

Have you shared this experience with others?       Yes    I share this picture with anyone I can.  I've shared it on Facebook grief groups, and also written a story about all the signs I received, which was published.  The face in the sky was the ultimate and most profound sign.    Sharing this photograph has helped many people who needed the reassurance that life continues.  It has helped many people on their grief journeys just as it helped me.

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

I wrote a story on the signs I received, and it was published online by Still Standing Magazine .    The picture of the face was shared in that story.

 Is there anything else you would like to add regarding your experience?   I am happy to share this photograph with you.

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 had a visitation from my son on the day of his funeral.  It was in the evening after a very exhausting day.  I sat on the couch and fell asleep.  He came and stood over me, looked at me with indescribable love, and just breathed on me.  I knew he was there and I tried to wake myself up but I could not.  I remember opening my eyes, looking down at my arms and seeing the dress I had on, and was pulled back into sleep.  When I finally woke myself up, I knew it was a visitation.  I was not medicated - I took no drugs on the day of his funeral.  I did not medicate myself through my grief.

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