by Sue Peterson

The experience I had at the age of 17 was incredible. I had out-patient surgery for the removal of a growth behind my ear. I came home and was on no pain medication although I could have used it. The doctor forgot to prescribe a pain medication so there were no drugs involved in what I experienced.

I went to bed and awoke, or thought I awoke, some time later. My vision was of the most brilliant light I could ever have imagined. The most incredible warmth and peace. Instinctively I knew that this was my egress from this life. The brilliance wrapped me almost completely. In that instant I knew the answers to all the questions I ever had about God and the church. I understood and knew the answers to the mystery of the Blessed Trinity.

It was as though I were enveloped in a huge circle where there was no beginning and no end. I was moving forward at a great speed. I knew that I was going to another place but suddenly I knew that before I went I had to speak with my mother about an important matter. Somehow I was back in my bed. At this point I still believed that this day I would die. I went to my mother and told her that I was going to die on that day but first I had to talk with her about something. (She probably thought I was crazy. For many years after I never heard anything about "out of life" experiences and thought maybe I was crazy for a while too. I sure did not tell anybody else about this experience).

For the entire day, after talking to my mother, I waited for the light to come back. I wanted to be in that brilliance and in that light again. I wanted to be back where I knew the answers to all questions and I knew the purpose to all things. Of course, it did not happen. I believe that I was on the edge and about to go on a beautiful journey.