Miraculous Moments: True Stories Affirming that Life Goes On Elissa al-Chokhachy, MA, RN, CHPN
Birth, death and the order in which they fall are some of the only universal truths and consistencies throughout the entirety of mankind. Though some find that they have too little time in between the two points and others will complain of having too much time, it can be certain that once one has happened, the other will be sure to follow.
Death is very absolute, and it can leave those who are left behind feeling abandoned and lonely. A bereaved spouse often longs to know their deceased loved one is still with them. Miraculous Moments is a collection of stories which affirm the concept of an afterlife, as well as the possibility of continued contact with deceased loved ones, even after physical hearts have stopped beating and eyes have closed.
To be honest, before picking up this book, I had no idea what either palliative care or thanatology were. After doing some research, I learned that palliative care focuses on alleviating the suffering of terminally ill patients work which could be considered heartbreaking, but is surely some of the most humane. Thanatology is the study of death in humans which focuses on the psychological aspects of dying in both the afflicted and the bereaved.
Miraculous Moments is a compilation of stories mostly from people who have experienced contact with loved ones who have passed on. Broken up into sections differentiated by the type of contact with lost loved ones, whether it was a sensory experience or a direct message from someone who had passed on, the stories leave the reader feeling comforted. One thing was very clear throughout the book: the belief that people had been contacted by a deceased loved one and comforted them in ways that counseling and crying sometimes could not. Whether it was the frightened pregnant mother being reassured by her beloved deceased grandmother prior to the birth of her baby or something as simple as a moose sighting which uplifted a grieving family, the stories are filled with hope. What I found to be the most intriguing were the near death experiences from people who have died, been brought to life, and have shared their remarkable experiences from the other side. This book is surprisingly uplifting, despite what can be considered depressing subject matter.
Miraculous Moments can offer great help when facing the death of a loved one. Losing a loved one can have long-reaching effects, yet it is something most people don't often talk about. Reading this book will allow fellowship, though distant, with others in a similar situation. It can also provide hope and solace that love is eternal and, one day, we will all be reunited again.
