This has been a remarkably civil discussion, and I am glad to see it.

Ooh-Aah, not everything has empirical evidence attached to it. It just doesn't. That's just the way it is. Get used to it.

Before Mister's grandmother died a couple of years ago, she began talking about people who'd been dead a long time - her sister, her husband - as if she'd just talked to them yesterday. I am given to understand this isn't a rare occurrence among the dying. One could ascribe it to dementia, the side effects of medications, etc. - but how do we know she didn't really see and talk to these people? Perhaps they were trying to ease her into her own passage. She was a stubborn old bat and probably needed a little coaxing.

Mister also told me that years ago, after his grandfather died, he saw him standing at the foot of his bed, just for a moment. Didn't say anything to him, just looked, as if he was getting one last glimpse of his grandson.

I have heard other similar stories from people who have lost a loved one. My friend Joe told me that he AND his now-ex-wife BOTH saw their friend Steve after he had died from a terminal illness.

My father was ready to go, and we had no unfinished business between us, so I am not surprised that I haven't seen him. I did dream about him once, though. I dreamed he came to visit me, and he told me that I had to be responsible for my decisions. There have also been a couple of incidents where I was sure he was looking out for me.

My friend Sheila died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 43. The week after her funeral, I was getting ready to leave the office at the end of the day, and suddenly I smelled roses. The scent was only in my cubicle, and nowhere else. I looked around to see if someone had gotten a flower delivery or something - not a flower to be found in the whole office. This hasn't happened before, or since.

Sheila was very fond of roses.

LH, let me know if you ever get down to Tennessee, so I can buy you a beer or other beverage of your choice. I like your philosophies.