Don R NDEs

Experience Description

Into the hereafter:

June 23rd, 1979 began like any other travelling day. I was in St Louis enjoying the last of my leave time before reporting to the 101st at Fort Campbell Ky. I always wore a helmet while in Missouri, but once I cleared the JB bridge, I pulled over, took the helmet off and put headphones on. Even then, I felt a bit uneasy. Couldn't explain it at the time.

At Murphysboro Il, I was cut off by a teenage driver and broadsided the car.

Yep, I saw myself laying in the street; kind of like looking down while up in a tree. Thing was, I was moving up and away from the crash scene. I remember thinking, 'I need to keep track so I can find my way back.' Still moving away, the earth was getting smaller and smaller until it and the sun were specks in a sea of a million other specks. Next thing I can remember is thinking 'where am I going'? As my soul turned to check my progress I had a sense of profound peace and tranquility like nothing I'd felt before. I remember shadowy silhouettes around me and sensed 'that the world would be OK without me, I was forgiven for my sins, and love. Again, I felt a presence and was given a choice, 'go be with God or return to my body so I could be there for my daughter.' That was kind of a no-brainer, I responded, 'be there for my daughter.' And, immediately came to while being given mouth to mouth in the street. Somewhere along the way, I was asked what my name was, and I couldn't remember. The person asking said,' you probably won't remember anything about this incident.' I prayed long and hard to be allowed to keep that memory. There was another instance in the hospital before I was MED-EVACed to Denver. Again, I left my body, moved through the walls and ceiling; but don't remember another trip to the afterlife. I've told this story dozens of times over the years. About 50% don't believe me, and 50% that do believe me; and for them, I hope it gives them some peace after the loss of a loved one. Normally, these folks are tearing up.

The non-believers usually say, 'it was a head injury and you were hallucinating.' I could believe that,,, but,,, remember in the opening paragraph, I said I normally took my helmet off in Illinois? I did just that. As I rode south on route 3, I like to say, 'my guardian angel was kicking me on the head and shoulders.' The closer to Murphysboro I got, the worse it got. There was a roadside park right after I turned off of 3 onto 149, so I stopped, smoked a cigarette, and checked the bike. Couldn't find anything wrong, so I got back on the road. A mile from town, the feeling was so strong, I reached back, got my helmet off of the back rest and put it on. 1/4 mile out, I had it snapped on. There was a gas station at the edge of town that I had gotten gas at before; I'm sure I was checking to see if it was crowded. I had just enough warning to brace myself (the foot-pegs and handlebars were bent forward) and I know I put my right side into the car much like a block in football. By the way, remember that presence that gave me a choice to be with God or be there for my daughter? Well, Shirley was pregnant, but we didn't know it was going to be a girl. And to validate that choice; Misty was birthed, the folks in the delivery cleaned her up, I got to cut the umbilical and then she was handed to me to be put on the scale. As I bent to put her on the scale, her eyes opened wide, she smiled at me, and gave me a coo as if to say, 'good choice dad.'

So, there are 2 solid pieces of evidence here that cemented my belief that God was on my side that day. Putting that helmet on where I normally didn't wear one; and being there for Misty.

Bear in mind the odds of that incident happening with all of the variables. 1. Leaving St Louis at the time I did. 2. The first stop to remove my helmet and that feeling of foreboding. 3. The second stop, to check the bike. 4. Putting the helmet on when I did. Factor in speed, traffic, weather etc. Devine intervention?

Background Information:

Gender: Male

Date NDE Occurred: 6/23/79

NDE Elements:

At the time of your experience, was there an associated life-threatening event? Yes Accident Motorcycle accident

How do you consider the content of your experience? Stay about the same

Did you feel separated from your body? Yes didn't see myself after seeing myself from above

At what time during the experience were you at your highest level of consciousness and alertness? fairly good

Please compare your hearing during the experience to your everyday hearing that you had immediately prior to the time of the experience. sensed them

Did you encounter or become aware of any deceased (or alive) beings? Yes shadowy silhouettes

Did you see an unearthly light? Uncertain as stated, I was watching the earth so I could find my way back. not just a single light, more like the milky way

What emotions did you feel during the experience? Peace, love, tranquility, euphoria

Did you feel a sense of harmony or unity with the universe? No

Did scenes from the future come to you? Scenes from the world's future

God, Spiritual and Religion:

Have your religious practices changed since your experience? became a believer not following any one gospel No

Concerning our Earthly lives other than Religion:

After the NDE:

Was the experience difficult to express in words? No

Do you have any psychic, non-ordinary or other special gifts after your experience that you did not have before the experience? Uncertain No

Have you ever shared this experience with others? Uncertain Yes

Did you have any knowledge of near death experience (NDE) prior to your experience? Uncertain

Did the questions asked and information that you provided accurately and comprehensively describe your experience? Uncertain