Thanatophobia is the fear of death. For many people, out of all the fears, Death is the biggest phobea. I remember when I was younger, I used to just not think about it. I would say, "I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid of pain". But this was a lie.

I was raised as a preachers kid. And like many Christians I believed in life after death in Heaven. And if this is true, then why do so many people fear death? Perhaps deep inside we long for proof.

I was blessed to spend some time prior to my grandmother passing away. I cherished the time spent with her and feel blessed that I was able to witness a beautiful moment.

I had recieved a phone call from my Mom in Illinois that the time was near and if I wanted to say goodbye I needed to get out there. So my sister Susan and I got on a plane and headed out.

By the time we arrived Grandmom was in and out of consousness. One moment she new who I was the next she would think I was my Mother.

My sister and I encouraged my Mom to leave and take a break. Susan and I stayed with my Grandmother. This is when we experienced what I could only discribe as a miricle. Well to me it was. It was the moment that I realized there was life after death.

As my grandmother layed there in what looked like a deep sleep she would "sleep talk". She was talking to people in the room that only she could see. Her expression on her face was that of pure peace. At first we thought she was dreaming and when we touched her, her body was very cold. After we touched her she would become warm again and then her face would grimace. She almost seemed irriated with us. It was like she was saying "I'm at peace, Stop bugging me". It was actually kind of funny. It was almost as if when we would touch her we would pull her back to this demention. She was cleary happier there. She was so much at peace when she was talking to the spirits in the room. We would ask her who she was talking to and she would say "I'm talking to my friends".

We mentioned it to the nurse and she said it was very common for people close to death to talk to angels or spirits.

My Mom experienced the same thing. My Grand-Mom told my Mom that she was talking with Melvin. Melvin is my grandfather who passed over in 1992.

This was the moment that I lost all fear of death. I felt and experienced it. I believe this was a gift from my Grandmother to me.

Since this experience I have done lots of reading about other peoples experience. I believe that when we pass our loved ones come and greet us to help us cross over to the other side. I know they(spirits) were there in the room, but my sister and I couldn't see them, because our souls were still in our bodies. However, my grandmothers soul was half way between here and there.

I've also read about people who have near death experiences where they have similar experiences. They experience such joy and contentment that they actually don't want to come back.

Now at 45 years old I have no fear of death. I believe that my spirit will move on when I am finished with my body. I believe my loved ones including my Grand-mom will help to show me the way.

I also now believe that I will choose to come back again and again. But that is another hub!