The first time was what I would have to describe as the typical experience with the bright light at the end of a tunnel. I saw other's around me, and they were all dressed in white. They were so comforting and gave me such a sensation of peace as they spoke to me. I had such a strong desire to go forward toward the pure bright light, but those around me held out their hands and told me to go back, it wasn't my time. I was aware of their words more than actually hearing any spoken words. I remember waking up and thinking I was in the morgue because I was on a stainless steel table with no one around me and I felt very cold. Later they told me they had lost me while I was being x-rayed and had called "code" while I was in the x-ray room.

I passed out several times that night, starting at home. They used the defibrulator paddles on me a couple of different times to try to get my heart beating again. I was told later that I died, complete flat line, two different times that night.

My second experience with near death was so different that I didn't tell anyone about it till a couple of years later, after my heart transplant. I had never heard of anyone experiencing anything like it. Then a friend brought me a book and there was a description of someone who had had almost the identical experience. He also hadn't told anyone about it till he happened to be in Jerusalem. While walking near the Garden of Gethsemane, an old man motioned him over and looked deep in his eyes and said,
"You've seen the Brown Monk?"

That was who I saw, someone wearing the robes of a monk in the most incredible shade of brown surrounded by a "Golden" aura.

I had never heard of anyone seeing anything but a bright white or bluish light, and here mine was this brilliant golden glow. We sat and talked for what seemed like hours and then he told me it was time for me to go back. I keep trying to remember what he said but I get the sensation that when the time is right all of it will be revealed to me. I firmly believe that the creation of my "Guardian Angels" site and these additional pages are the result of that incredible meeting.

You can't possibly go through a near death experience like this without it having a most profound effect on your life. Your priorities change immediately. Your loved ones and their well being become the most important thing in your life. You suddenly have a wonderful sense of peace and well being. You relish every moment of your life and have a new appreciation for everything around you. The expression,
"Take time to smell the roses",
takes on a whole new meaning, as does your mortality.