Here & hereafter

de Ibsen, Joy,1940-

What happens after death? What is the meaning of life? If you have ever wrestled with these questions, or experienced answers, you will want to read this book. When someone we care for dies, we have the fantastic opportunity to experience a glimpse of eternity intertwined with present reality. We stand naked before the unknown, vulnerable--unhindered by usual earth time restrictions and preconceived borders of what is possible and we are open to new experiences, new truths. When ordinary earth time merges with infinity, mortality and eternity come together, the mystery of life deepens and sometimes we can perceive and respond to a reality beyond our usual capacities. Even if it is for only a nanosecond, profound changes can occur which last our entire lives. Our consciousness expands permanently. We are forever more aware of the marvelous complexities and interfacing of life and afterlife--the eternity connection--and open to perceiving its truths in everyday life. Here and Hereafter is a book of stories about life-endings--death; it is also a memoir. The stories are based on real life and death problems-- illness, accidents, errors in judgment, suicide, alcoholism, assassination, old age. The characters in the stories are real people in various roles and stages of life-- baby, child, teenager, college student, wife, husband, grandparent, father, mother, national leader, community leader, teacher, minister, patriarch, poet or politician--and yes, even a dog. Each story stands on its own but like life, the sum is greater than its parts. This book is also about spiritual legacy. What is the spiritual legacy you were given? What about it have you embraced? Enhanced? Discarded? How will you approach your own life-ending? What story can you pass on to others?