I was around five years old at the time.

I could’ve been as young as four or as old as six. My brothers were tickling me and had been for some time. The tickling was causing me to laugh but the pain was excruciating. I couldn’t catch my breath long enough for me to tell them that it was hurting. The longer it went on the less and less I was able to breathe. I was terrified. I don’t remember how long this went on; it seemed like ages. Eventually I couldn’t breathe at all, I couldn’t get any air.

Then everything went black. Next thing I remember I was looking at our white popcorn ceiling with this large hole in it. I couldn’t see through to the other side of the hole; it just appeared dark. Like it was covered with a thin veil. I moved towards the ceiling and as I got near that hole, I could see shapes on the other side of the veil. There was one shape in the center, a man, and a crowd of people behind him and to the sides. I felt such love and peace and kindness. I felt Him extend His hands towards me and I heard Him say “Come” in a very gentle and tender voice. I could feel this tremendous sense of welcome.

From the very beginning to the end of my experience there was never any fear, a little curiosity, but no fear. When He asked me to come, even though I felt very comforted by His presence and the place where He was, there was a sense of despair at leaving my parents. I said, ’No, Please don’t make me leave Mommy and Daddy.“ I remember him smiling very sadly and letting me go back. When I awoke I was alone. 

Because I was so young, I don’t really know if there is a change in my personality or health. I’ve never mentioned this to my brothers or my parents. The main effect it has had on my life is that I have never questioned that something exists beyond this world.