My husband was telling me about a shaman he had interviewed. The native woman works with the dying and is often called to go to a hospital room and help someone who is unconscious or slipping in and out of consciousness. “She claims to communicate with people through telepathy,” she said skeptically. “I don’t believe in mind readers.” I told him that telepathy doesn’t read minds, and in fact, I have done so several times.
I remembered a phone call several years ago from Sarah, whom I had read many times. She had also had sessions with her mother, Esther. Sarah wanted to know if she could make a special appointment for me to see her mother.
Wondering what she meant by a “special” date, I asked, “Why doesn’t your mom call me?”
Sarah was silent for a few moments. “That’s not possible,” she said. Three days ago, Esther suffered a massive stroke and was now unconscious in the hospital, and doctors were hesitant to speculate on her chance of recovery.
I thought about the last time I saw Esther, a woman in her 70s whose spark of life was shining brightly. She had a deep, husky laugh and she loved flashy jewelry (the brighter the better) and she carried a bright red vinyl bag that looked big enough to park a car. When I brought her husband, Jack, who had died suddenly of a heart attack, she listened quietly and wiped the corners of her eyes with a yellow handkerchief.
“I know this is something you don’t normally do,” Sarah said hopefully. “We’re not asking for a reading. My brother and I just want to know if Mom is comfortable. If she can hear us. And if there’s anything we can do for her.”
I was touched by the plea in Sarah’s voice, but I wondered if it was possible to contact the spirit of someone who was still alive. However, I felt compelled to do what she could to help, and I told her that I would see her at the hospital tomorrow night. She thanked me profusely, which made me uncomfortable, because I wasn’t sure if there was anything she could do except offer moral support.
The next day, I drove to the hospital and put Sarah in her mother’s room in the neurology ward. We chatted for a bit, and behind our words was the beep from the heart monitor…beep…beep… A vase of bright red roses stood on the nightstand.
Sarah asked, “Do you want to be alone with Mom?”
Esther seemed to be asleep. She had lost weight. Her hands, which she remembered as stocky and covered in rings that flashed under the lights, were fragile. She was wearing only a plain gold wedding ring.
I looked at the delicate woman on the bed. I have never had a session where the client could not speak to me. How could I contact her?
“Hello, Esther,” I said, placing one of my hands over hers, trying to visualize her spirit inside her. I closed my eyes and remembered what a vibrant woman Esther had been. This, I thought, was how she must view herself. As she focused on me, I felt a presence close to her, and in my mind’s eye I saw Esther standing next to me.
How are you? I asked mentally.
Esther was dark, but then her energy seemed to change and I felt her glow. Thank God I can finally talk to someone!
What can I do for you? I thought of her.
She wanted her to tell her children that she understood what was happening and that she was not afraid, because she knew that she would soon be with her husband, Jack. In fact, he had already visited her twice.
I can’t remember how long we “talked” because suddenly my eyes widened and I was back in the hospital room. I gave Sarah the messages from her mother and she seemed relieved to hear her words.
“I hope I’ve been of some help,” I told him. Aside from me, he was still curious as to whether he had actually met Esther’s spirit, or if he had simply learned something from her psychically.
Sarah took her mother’s hand. “While you were quiet, Mom’s breathing seemed to calm down and her heartbeat was more rhythmic. I think she seems more rested.”
Sarah thanked me again, and as I turned to leave, out of the corner of my eye I saw another person standing by Esther’s bed. A broad-chested man with a neatly trimmed mustache. He smiled at me and introduced himself as Jack.
