published in Death, Family, Fatherhood, Inspiration, Life After Loss, Relationships, Saviour Play, Souls, Spirituality by Maryanne | August 22, 2017 | 12 Comments
Channeling 101: Hello…Is Anybody There?
“When someone’s got a direct line to the Universe, their words have such a profound resonance, you immediately recognize them as truth.”
– Martha Beck
My Dad was a Devout Atheist
He did not believe in any sort of Divine entity. He despised organized religion. And he most certainly did not think there was an afterlife…when the body dies, it’s all over.
So when he passed away six months ago (in February), I was very curious as to what his actual post-death experience was. Did his existence just…fade to black and that was it?
Or (much to his surprise and perhaps dismay) did he discover that something – our consciousness, soul, spirit, essence, etc – does live on after the death of the body?
Now, my personal experiences in life thus far have demonstrated to me enough evidence to support a belief that there is something after the death of our bodies. Not sure what, exactly…but I strongly suspect our souls do continue to exist in some capacity.
But I must say, in the three months following my Dad’s death, other than a sense of feeling that his spirit was close (mainly in the increased clarity of my thoughts), I did not receive any sort of tangible “sign” that his soul was…you know, still in circulation 😊
And then, wouldn’t you know it but three months after his passing (on Mother’s Day, oddly enough), I had the strangest experience. I woke up at 4 a.m. because I could hear a man’s voice saying, “Dad…Dad…Dad…”
It was not my Dad’s voice. In fact, it didn’t sound quite human…close but not quite.
My room was pitch black but it sounded as if the voice was coming from a few feet to my right. At first, I thought I was still dreaming, so I blinked my eyes several times. But the voice kept repeating the word, “Dad.”
Then I thought (hoped!) it was my dog, Sadie, snoring. But I held my breath and listened carefully. Nope…I could hear Sadie breathing and the voice saying, “Dad.” By this point, I was wide awake…and starting to freak out a little.
I didn’t think there was actually someone in my bedroom…at least, not a person. I was freaked out because I was pretty sure I knew what I was hearing – and it wasn’t something I would be able to see when I turned the light on.
I finally reached over and switched on my lamp. Sure enough, there was no one in my room. And the voice stopped instantly.
Now you can either choose to believe me – or not. If you don’t, I wouldn’t blame you one bit because it is pretty weird.
But here’s what I think was going on: I think what I heard was the soul of my Dad learning how to communicate with the living (he’d had three months to get over the shock of realizing there is life after death!). It sounded as if he was practicing how to “speak” as a soul by repeating the word, “Dad.” And it makes sense that it wouldn’t be his voice I heard – because he obviously no longer has his human voice.
As for why it was three feet from my head that his soul was practicing his newfound communication skills? Well, it’s not just because I’m his daughter and he loved me very much (although I’m sure that’s part of it). Rather, I suspect it was me he chose to practice on because he knew I would get it.
Why?
Because I have just spent fourteen years working on my Saviour play script. And what is Saviour about? The soul of Virginia Woolf – who is dead – teaching “Sam” (the character based on my real-life husband, John) – who is dying – how to die, why he is dying so young, and how to communicate with the living.
How I have written this play, I have no idea. But I strongly suspect I have had an awful lot of help from…the other side.
At any rate, wouldn’t you know it but on the very same day as my “Dad” visitor, I already had a session booked with a woman by the name of Lanne Rice. Lanne is an artist and energy worker, who has the ability to “channel.” Lanne helps people see the truth to any question they may have by channeling the direct answer.
What is Channeling?
According to the Crimson Circle website, “Channeling is a natural form of communication between humans and angelic beings, nature spirits, non-physical entities, or even animals and pets. A channeler is very similar to a language translator or interpreter. They allow themselves to sense the non-verbal communication from another being and then translate it into human words.”
A channeler can also help someone get in touch with their own soul…their higher self.
For the record, I have not spent time with a channeler before. Truth be told, I have enough weird stuff happening to help me on any given day that I don’t feel the need to go looking for answers! But I had met Lanne at a couple different events over the past few months and had clicked with her. I trusted her.
So when I met Lanne for our channeling session a few hours after hearing the “Dad” voice, I told her about the experience.
She was delighted but not particularly surprised…that is, after all, her world.
Lanne then asked me if I would like to know if my Dad was, in fact, around at the moment – in her studio.
“Sure,” I said.
A few minutes later, we got an answer. Yes, he was there with us – but he did not particularly like being “summoned,” because he felt he was being put on the spot. So if it was okay with me, he would prefer to just hang back and listen in.
Cool.
And so, the session went from there. I won’t bombard you with the details but I will say this: I cleared out a lot of old stuff in my heart and head in that hour…literally. I mean, I visualized boxing up all sorts of thoughts I no longer needed and putting them outside the door of my mind – very similar to what I had been doing at home, in preparation for putting my house on the market: getting rid of all sorts of old stuff from the boxes in my basement.
“Your Dad is helping you,” Lanne said at one point. “He is taking the boxes of thoughts you no longer need and throwing them away for you.”
I looked at her and raised one eyebrow.
“He really likes helping you,” she said. “He wants to help.”
Three weeks later – before I had even put my house on the market – my neighbour’s realtor knocked on my door. A developer was keen to purchase both our properties…was I interested? You bet! Within twenty-four hours, I had sold my home for significantly more than if I’d sold it on the open market…and, of course, much less hassle.
My real estate agent was thrilled but a bit baffled. “Nothing surprises me anymore in this business,” he said. “But I must confess I didn’t see this deal coming.”
Oh, and did I mention…my Dad had worked in commercial real estate for years. He loved making deals 😊
And guess what the developer chose as the closing date? September 29th – the anniversary of John’s death.
You can take what you like from this blog. But I shall leave you with this quote to ponder:
“Generally when we pray, our highest power doesn’t get right back to us – but that doesn’t mean we can’t find answers. Some earthlings can listen so deeply that they actually hear the divine. They receive guidance and comfort to share with the rest of us, like spiritual receptionists passing along messages. Of course, there are plenty of frauds who only claim to hear wisdom – but I’ve found that when someone’s got a direct line to the Universe, their words have such a profound resonance, you immediately recognize them as truth.”
– Martha Beck, O Magazine, July 2017
I think Lanne Rice is one of those special people who do have a direct line to the Universe. Mind you, I think we all do…we just might know how to listen.
Related Blogs by Maryanne
Tempus Fugit – Bahamas Reflections on My Dad
Soul Survival – Do You Believe in Life After Death?
When Opportunity Knocks at the Door – Literally
Maryanne Pope is the author of A Widow’s Awakening, the playwright of Saviour and the screenwriter of God’s Country. Maryanne is the CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions and Chair of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. If you would like to receive her regular weekly blog, please sign up here.
Lanne Rice is the owner of Broken Heart Studio…a broken heart is an open heart. Lanne is a coaching artist who guides people in the process of creating their own original piece of abstract art. She is also an energy worker who helps people see the truth to any questions they may have. Lanne has the ability to channel the direct answer to questions, over the internet or in person. For further information, please visit www.lannerice.com.
published in Aging, Caregiving, Change, Family, Fatherhood by Maryanne | June 13, 2017 | 6 Comments
A Few Laughs for Father’s Day – Funny Sayings from the Alex Pope Quote Collection
Carleton, Dad, MA
“These hot nights cause a lot of sweat and stickiness in my unventilated areas.”
– Alex Pope
In honour of Father’s Day, I thought I’d share with you some funny sayings of my Dad’s.
Over the past few years, when my Dad lived in the care home, whenever my younger brother, Carleton, heard him make a cute (or comically inappropriate) comment, he would jot it down. Not surprisingly, Carleton collected some real gems of “Dadisms” over the years.
Although my Dad had dementia, thankfully his sense of humour, spectacular vocabulary, exquisite grammar, extensive knowledge and astute observation skills still surfaced on occasion.
In life, my Dad wasn’t a Cheerful Charlie, easy-go-lucky, go-with-the-flow, positive kind of guy.
He was more like Spock from Star Trek: logical, intelligent, rational…with an encyclopedia for a mind. In the early days of dementia, his memory loss caused him to be extremely anxious – and understandably so. And yet his wry sense of humour and unrelenting candour still shone through – often with rather comedic results 😊
Here are a few Dadisms:
“Her name is Dr Besterd? I would have changed my name.”
“The girls are REALLY nice to me in here. Probably because there’s no competition. There are a lot of really ancient people in here. They’re like statues. They just lie in bed and don’t move. I feel like I’m in a mausoleum.”
“I’m not going to see Dr Besterd anymore? But she’s gorgeous! I’m going to have to have a heart attack.”
“It’s been a pretty pulchritudinous bunch of girls who’ve been taking care of me!”
“I’m fine for the moment but I’m a walking bundle of anxieties, large and small…but strokes of genius just come to me.”
While pointing finger into empty glass of red wine at Thanksgiving in care home: “Oh, wine steward……might I have a little more?”
“All these little demons are driving me around the bend…I’m getting to the point that I don’t want to do anything. I just want to worry about it, then go to sleep, and try not to wet the bed.”
“One of the great dangers around here is getting nailed by commentarists…certain types of talkers who get hold of you and hold on indefinitely. I’m deathly afraid of these clingers.”
“This really is a nice walk…I just hope that I don’t pass out and die on you.”
On aging: “The almighty should have thought this all out better…he’s just created a lot of shit and trouble for everyone!”
“I would prefer to live with relatives, but I’d just be a nuisance…I’m an expert at complaining.”
To a caregiver: “Sorry, I just had my pants down and was powdering my behind.”
“It appears that I’m lost…but I’ve found the bar!”
“After 8 o’clock, this place is just like a tomb!”
On a picnic day trip: “This outhouse is only suitable for corpse disposal…it has this gaping maw that is waiting to swallow you whole.”
“I feel like there’s a big black sheet of rolling doom & gloom…with superficial flashes of humour that don’t last long.”
“When you push that plate towards me, my vomit reflex starts to churn.”
Farts while walking: “That was a dry one…but I think there’s a wet one coming.”
“I think I’m going to lose consciousness…should I do it here? Or somewhere else?”
“I’ve got enough misery of my own to be able to deal with other people’s follies.”
After man finishes saying grace, Dad immediately stands up and exclaims: “I feel kind of sick!”
“It’s true…we are temporary artifacts…sometimes temporary accidents.”
“I’ve dirtied a lot of diapers this way. Sorry…Pull-Ups!”
Have a fantastic Father’s Day!
I shall be raising a glass of red in memory of my Dadio 🙂
Related Blogs by Maryanne
Tempus Fugit – Bahamas Reflections on my Dad
My Dad is Off on his Next Big Adventure
Pussies and Erection Day – Hard of Hearing Humour
Maryanne Pope is the author of A Widow’s Awakening, the playwright of Saviour and the screenwriter of God’s Country. Maryanne is the CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions and Chair of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. If you would like to receive her regular weekly blog, please sign up here.
published in Death, Family, Fatherhood, Grief, John Petropoulos Memorial Fund, Peace, Souls by Maryanne | March 14, 2017 | 2 Comments
The Invisible Connection – When Our Heart & Soul Knows Something Before We Do
“I’d like to imagine we are all of us a part of a many-chambered construct that love is continually building.”
– Rebecca Gummere, O Magazine, April 2017
At the end of February, I spent a very powerful work weekend in a Mississauga hotel.
The Threads of Life charity, that I am a volunteer with, was holding its annual speakers bureau training session. The mission of Threads of Life is to help families heal through a community of support and to promote the elimination of life-altering workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths.
I was getting trained as one of their speakers. I was developing a slightly different presentation that incorporated the story of John’s death as well as the workplace safety messages of both Threads of Life and the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund.
There were 12 speakers getting trained and 4 staff members from Threads of Life doing the training. Each of us speakers, and most of the staff, shared a common thread: we had all been significantly impacted in some way by a workplace fatality, serious injury or life-altering illness.
So as perhaps you can imagine, it was a rather emotionally intense weekend. However, since I have been delivering presentations about John’s death for quite a few years now, I don’t tend to get emotional during my presentation anymore.
As the presenter, I take the audience on an emotional journey for the purpose of leading to behaviour change. But I am very cognizant of not personally re-experiencing all the sorrow, hurt and trauma each and every time I deliver a presentation.
There wouldn’t be much left of me if I let that happen over and over again.
However, I do still have a heart 🙂 and I must say that listening to some of the other people’s heartbreaking presentations was quite something. But thanks to the wisdom of the Threads of Life staff, they set up the weekend so that we didn’t have to listen to everybody’s presentation. That would have been beyond exhausting!
Instead, we were split into small groups and after much preparation and guidance, the time came on Sunday afternoon when we were to deliver our personal presentations to our group.
I delivered my presentation first and it went well. Then another woman – also a widow due to her husband’s workplace death – delivered her presentation and it was excellent.
Then a third woman – a mom whose son had died at work – delivered her presentation. And this is where things went wonky 🙁
I’m not quite sure what happened but for some reason, this mother’s story managed to cut through the rather thick protective shield around my heart and hit me hard.
After she finished speaking, I put my hand up.
The woman looked at me. “Yes?”
“That,” I said, “was amazing.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
And then I burst into tears and began blubbering like a baby. I couldn’t stop crying! The Threads of Life staff member looked at me, rather concerned.
“I NEVER CRY!” I wailed. “But I think I finally kinda get what John’s Mom went through after he died.”
Everyone else turned to look at me. I continued sobbing. Why stop now?
I looked at the woman who had delivered the presentation. “Your speech,” I said, tears still streaming down my face, “is VERY impactful. You made me feel what it is like to lose a son as the result of an easily preventable workplace incident.”
And then my tears stopped as quickly as they began. I took a deep breath, blew my nose and smiled, feeling significantly…lighter.
Then I went to my hotel room to recoup before dinner. There was a voicemail message on my cell phone to call my brother. Our Dad’s health had taken a turn for the worse.
Oh wow. Was that why I had been so profoundly impacted by the woman’s presentation?
Had I, on some deeper level, been aware of the sudden change in my Dad’s situation?
I took a few deep breaths and called my brother back. My Dad had lost consciousness and was likely going to pass away soon. He’d been suffering from dementia for a few years but had otherwise been in reasonably good health.
“Would you like to talk to him?” my brother asked.
“Yes,” I said.
So my brother put the phone up to his ear and there, in the Mississauga hotel room, I said goodbye to my Dad for the last time. I told him I loved him and that it was okay for him to go now.
Then my brother got back on the phone. “He moved his little arms when he heard your voice, Googie. It’s all good.”
I smiled and hung up the phone. I didn’t cry. I don’t think I had any tears left to cry, thanks to the presentation I’d just heard.
I made the decision not to fly back to Calgary to be with my Dad as he passed away. My three older brothers, younger half-brother and some of their families were with him, as were the wonderful staff of the care home. He was surrounded by people who loved him.
So I accompanied him on the final stretch of his journey from afar. By the next evening he was gone. Then I had a good cry.
And wouldn’t you know it, I was given the incredible gift of being able to go to the Bahamas right after that…to think, reflect, remember, write, read and rest.
Two weeks later, back home again in Canada, I was reading the April 2017 edition of O Magazine and I think I found the answer to my question: “Had I, on some deeper level, been aware of the sudden change in my Dad’s situation?”
The article was entitled “Cooper’s Heart” and it was written by Rebecca Gummere. Rebecca’s 6-week-old son, Cooper, had died suddenly from complications of the heart.
“There is no answer. But there is love, the kind that binds us to each other in ways beyond our knowing, ways that span distance, melt time, rupture the membrane between the living and the dead.”
– Rebecca Gummere
“I’d like to imagine we are all of us a part of a many-chambered construct that love is continually building…and from time to time an unheard sound comes from another room, noiseless, beyond our comprehension, received as a tug, a flicker in a dream, a vibration along the invisible threads that connects us,” writes Rebecca. “We are troubled, we are stirred, and we are not certain why, but something in us answers.”
Wow.
Over and over again, I am reminded of just how connected we are to each other by these invisible threads. Perhaps it is no coincidence that I was at a Threads of Life event when my heart and soul felt the pending death of my father before my brain received the news?
Related Blogs:
Tempus Fugit – Bahamas Reflections on My Dad
My Dad is Off On His Next Great Adventure
Maryanne Pope is the author of A Widow’s Awakening, the playwright of Saviour and the screenwriter of God’s Country. Maryanne is the CEO of Pink Gazelle Productions and Chair of the John Petropoulos Memorial Fund. If you would like to receive her regular weekly blog, please sign up here.