This past year I’ve felt like Lucy in The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, falling out of a cosy wardrobe into a whole other world that I never knew was there. My experiences of Laura’s spiritual presence have opened the door to a vast parallel universe of life beyond life. At first I felt embarrassed to talk about it. I reasoned, people would think I’d gone mad with grief or was trying to comfort myself with delusions. But what I am discovering through this blog and by talking to people I meet on my travels is that an incredible number of people have experienced a loved one’s presence after they’ve gone. Probably the reason we don’t share these stories more, is no-one wants to appear bonkers or as someone said to me recently ‘woo woo’. But hey, it took me half a lifetime to come out of the closet as gay, so coming out of the spiritual closet ought to be a breeze – right?

The most frequent stories I’ve been hearing are of animals, birds and especially butterflies who seem to appear after a death and exhibit some of the qualities of the lost loved one, or who simply appear to comfort the bereaved.  Others report a visible apparition of the beloved; often standing at the foot of the bed. Some see their loved ones in dreams to advise and console them.  Many of Laura’s friends have also seen lights flashing or cutting out abruptly when her name is mentioned, others hear music playing without prompting and other electrical oddities.  My personal favorites are the little ‘chats’ I have daily with Laura, She answers questions and sends playful comments.  Not in her own voice, but a voice which I recognize as not my own.  And most delicious of all are the warm sensations of a kiss, a touch, a hug. Yesterday, I found myself walking around the little local park giggling (yes, like an insane person) because I heard Laura teasing me and felt her warmth all around me. And out dancing with Bill last night, I suddenly felt her arms around my waist and her head on my shoulder.  What bliss.