"The Last Person I Thought..."

 Last night I was sitting in my living room, cozy in my chair watching reruns of Top Chef on Netflix. I suddenly felt the need to pause the show, because both my dog, Logan, and cat, Katsu, were fixed in on something by the stairs. This was exceptionally unusual for Logan, who had clearly stopped begging for the treats that sit by my chair, to stare in the same direction as the cat. So I turned my attention to that area and I felt like someone was there. I was alone in the house, so I knew it wasn't one of my family members. 

I spoke out into the room saying, "Hello. I can feel you here with me. If you'd like to communicate more, please let me know with a sound or you can come closer. If you're just passing through, that it alright as well."

I gave the space time to absorb the information and for myself to feel deeper for the intentions of the spirit. Then I heard a small knock from the office. I acknowledged the knock: "Thank you for letting me know that you're here. I can't communicate right now, but later I will reach out to you to talk."

Again, I gave that message time to settle and I returned to my show, drawing in peace to settle my heart and mind for what I would be doing later.  I know it might seem weird that I didn't jump to engage, but I am always aware of where my energy levels are at. Sometimes I have so much energy for interaction and communication that I just jump to it. Other times I feel drained from all the energy sapping that life does and I can't just jump to do things. That's when I hope the spirits understand when I have to delay an interaction. There are times, though, when I can feel the immediacy of an interaction and regardless, I try to make contact. I usually rely on equipment then, to take some of the burden off of me - not all the time, mind you.

So my evening went on and, finally, I knew I needed to talk to the spirit that I encountered. I prepared myself upstairs in my room. I opened myself to my spirit team and family and spirits who needed help. I explained how the rods work and that if there is a spirit here who would like to speak to me, they can use the rods to make their answers clear and they could talk to me for more complex answers.

The rods started to move very slow and gave barely-crossed answers, but the answers were so clear in my mind. I immediately knew that this was a male, but not an aggressive male or hostile. A gentleman. I asked if he was family and he affirmed this. I said, "Say your name real loud for me in my ear."

I first heard, Frank and then it was all over my brain: "Bob. Bob. Bob. Bob. Bob." I said aloud, "Uncle Bob! Bob D-------!" And I received a yes on the rods. I think Frank pinged in my head, because Frank is my grandpa on my mother's side and Great-Uncle-Bob is his brother-in-law. So I think my brain was saying "Hey! It's on this side of the family."

I do have to admit, this was not ever someone I thought I would be communicating with from the other side. When I explain why, it is not indicative of any belief I hold, but it just reflects the intensity that religion can present in the Now.

My Great-Uncle-Bob was born in 1933. He was the younger brother to my grandma, Clara, who was born in 1925. Bob, from my perspective as a child growing up in the family, was a quiet and reserved man - a man of few words, some might say. But his presence was always known. He served in the Korean War, and you can tell he was military. Bob exuded an introvertedness that he ardantaly shared with his soulmate, Joanne, who he married in 1957. He was a good craftsman, working as an electrician and a woodsmith. And he was a religious man, at least in his later years that I am aware of. He was a man well respected by his peers and had a beautiful energy to be around. He devoted his life to his wife and his family, but the bond and love he had for Joanne was that of fairytale. One of my favorite stories is that Joanne never got a driver's license, because Bob drove her everywhere. He wanted to take care of her always.

I don't ever remember being yelled at by him or disciplined by him during family events at his lakefront home - or seeing other cousins and family treated in a manner anything less than hospitable. I do remember him greeting the kids every time he came out to the garage fridge for a beer and I remember his laugh. 

So when I talked with him now, I asked the general questions of how is he doing and is there anything I can help him with. Bob said he was doing well and there was nothing I could help him with. This struck me as odd, because why would you have come here if there wasn't something I could do for him. So I stuck at it and asked him if he had a message for anyone: No.

• Is there anything you'd like for me to share with Joanne? - No.
• I can feel how uncomfortable this conversation is making you feel. - Yes.
• I know you were very dedicated to God and the Church. Is that part of why this feels uncomfortable? Because you're speaking with those who haven't passed from where you are? - Yes.
• I sat with that for a little bit, before asking, "Do you visit Joanne often?" - Yes.
• Do you spend most of your time watching over her? - Yes.

Still, in the back of my mind, I was trying to figure out what would have brought him here to me. This person who was so church oriented, coming to a medium. It felt so weird. And it for also to be someone I didn't have a strong relationship with. He was my grandma's brother. I loved him. Cared about him. Attended his funeral. Then it clicked.

• Uncle Bob, are you here to visit someone? - Yes.
• Are you here to visit with grandma? - Yes. (a big swing from the rods)
• Awe! That is so sweet of you to visit her. If I'm sensing correctly, she prefers that chair in that corner. - Yes. (The rods swing to point at the chair.)
• Well thank you for visiting her and thank you for being the wonderful person I've known you to be. It has been so nice to reconnect with you and to know that you are doing well. If you do need anything in the future or help with anything, please know that I am here for you. - The rods swung yes, but I heard "Thank you." 

I closed out with an "I love you" and "Have fun hanging out with your sister." Then a general "All spirits here, please understand I am going to bed now and that I do need space, so there's the rest of the house, just not this room or my daughter's room." And I said good night.

After an interaction like this, I always ask myself, "why did I have this interaction?" What am I supposed to take away from it? What am I supposed to "do" with it? After sitting with this for a little while, the interaction was just showing me that there is more beyond the veil than what we sometimes understand. This man of God is comfortable in the afterlife and is even traveling to visit his sister. It's not "life as usual" but it's a clear connection that on the other side there are opportunities to engage with the ones we loved in life. 

I love my family and I appreciate when I am able to interact with them. They have taught me the most about life on the other side and I feel blessed for having them with me.