Yesterday during meditation, I asked for direction on reaching people who would benefit from hearing Jeffery Olsen’s story and speaking with him during the next IANDS Visiting Author’s session (I am the host).  Like usual, I didn’t think about my request again.  Then, this morning on my usual walk I came across a sign posted in a neighbor’s yard with a picture of a boy five or six years old grinning from ear to ear wearing a graduation cap and gown. The sign said, “Congratulations Nicholas!”  I rolled my eyes and thought “Oh, brother.”  Not long ago my husband and I had seen a grade school graduation on the news and commented on how silly it was.  I lamented how in “our day” we had to keep our nose to the grindstone for 12 years (13 counting kindergarten) until we could be celebrated for our accomplishment with a high-school graduation and party, if we were lucky.  Nearly simultaneous to my eye-rolling and recalling of this conversation, I heard THE VOICE say “Some parents never get to see their children graduate.”  At the same time, I was shown a vision of Jeff Olsen in an elementary school courtyard sitting on a bench dedicated to his deceased toddler, head in his hands with tears spilling through his fingers.  In his book “Knowing”, Jeff tells about  having been asked by the school to give a speech to that year’s graduating class, WITHOUT being reminded that it would have been his son’s graduating class.  This realization only occurred to Jeff as he sat alone moments before speaking.  Spirit’s message hit me hard, and I felt like such an idiot for chastising anyone or anything that has to do with celebrating any aspect of life.  I should know better as I try so very hard to make the most loving choices and thoughts possible as I navigate my humanness!  But we are ever-learning and I thank God/Spirit for today’s lesson!  And, Jeff … if you read this, know that the lessons of your NDE are still rippling outward and touching others, bringing more love and kindness into the world.

Jeffery Olsen will present “Awaken to Oneness” at the IANDS Virtual Conference on Saturday, 8/15.  Sign-up NOW to take advantage of the early-bird extension which ends July 22^nd.  He will also be the featured author with his latest book, “Knowing,” during the next IANDS Visiting Author’s ONLINE Book Club, Sunday, July 26 from 4-6 pm. I invite all of you to join me for the IANDS Visiting Author’s Book Club session with Jeff. You don’t need to have read the book to participate. However, I’m sure you will want to afterward! Sign up at https://isgo.iands.org/meeting/iands-book-club-with-author-jeff-ol