McCall's Magazine October 1996 Real Life tales from beyond THE GRAVE by Deirdre Martin Amazing but true: Millions think, as Paul Simon said, that we're living in an age of miracles and wonder." The proof? Popular interest in angels, miracles, near-death emergences and life after death, once derided as a fad, continues to grow. According to a recent Gallup poll, one out of every four Americans believes in the existence of ghosts; one in six believes he or she has been in touch with someone who has died and more than 70 percent believe there is life after death. Another poll, conducted by Times magazine, indicated that 80 percent of people believe in angels. A follow-up poll showed that the same percentage believe in miracles. To the sceptic, this obsession with the supernatural signifies a desperate bid for certainty in an increasingly unpredictable and frightening world. But in the open-minded, such beliefs are signs of a healthy willingness to admit that, in the midst of our technological society, there are still some phenomena we simply don't understand. "People feel that science has stripped us of our sense of awe and mystery." says Chris Wetzel, Ph.D., a social psychologist who teaches a course in understanding the paranormal at Rhodes College in Memphis. "Belief in the paranormal is one way of restoring those feelings." As the following two stories show, the so-called paranormal encompasses a wide range of events - from seeing spirits during profound moments to hearing messages from people we thought were gone forever. An Angel's searching question: "Are you ready to go?" On a clear September evening in 1992, Linda Johnston, 42, of Clinton, MS a homemaker and mother of two teenage daughters, was cutting out stencils with a razor blade when she accidently sliced her wrist. Her husband, Herbert bundled her into their truck and took off for the emergency room. Making small talk in an effort to remain calm, they were oblivious to the car that was just behind them. It smashed into the back of their truck with such impact that Johnston was thrown from the vehicle, her body hitting a road sign. "The last thing I remember was praying, "Please God, don't let me get hurt," as our car was hit, " Johnston recalls. "The next thing I knew, a warm, soft, soothing breeze was enveloping me, and I was traveling through a dark tunnel." After what seemed like a very long time, she came to a stop. "I was surrounded by these beautiful vivid colors - cobalt blue, cool yellow - and I could smell flowers. To my upper left was a bright doorway. To my right, there was a sort, fuzzy light that began moving toward me. As it got closer, I could see it was a beautiful woman." The woman pointed to herself and in a gentle, reassuring voice told Johnston not to be afraid. "I knew she was my guardian angel." Johnston says. The angel looked sown sadly. Johnston followed her gaze and found herself staring at the accident scend and at her own inert body. "Are you ready to go?" the angel asked. Confused, Johnston cocked her head questioningly. The angel pointed toward the lighted doorway. "I realized I was being given the choice to either remain in heaven or return to earth. My answer was immediate. I told my angel I wasn't ready to go. I had my husband and children to take care of, and there was a lot of living I still wanted to do. The angel smiled at her and nodded. Instantly, Johnston found herself back in her physical body. She remembers being paralyzed with pain and hearing her husband call her name before she lost consciousness. When she awoke, she was in te hospital. Doctors later told Johnston it was a "miracle" that she survived the crash. She has suffered severe skin abrasions, some so deep that pebbles were embedded in her exposed muscle tissue. Her left leg was badly broken, and the tendons and ligaments in the knee were severed. Her right thighbone was broken in eight places. Several vertebras in her neck and spine were compressed, and her pelvis was shattered. Johnston spent two weeks in the intensive-care unit and a total of 52 days in te hospital. Incredibly, her husband's injuries were minor: He suffered skin abrasions, a broken rib and neck vertebra problems. As soon as she was able to s peak, Johnston told her family her tale of angelic intervention. "They had no doubt my story was true, she says. But some of her friends were openly skeptical. As a result of this kind of disbelief, Johnston is cautious about sharing her story. "People who are doubtful think I', out of my mind," she says. But a few she's spoken with have reacted differently. "I've had people break down in tears and tell me they've had the same kind of experience and are happy to know they're not alone." Sadly, the physical effects of Johnston's accident linger to this day. After being bedridden for six months following her hospital stay, she spent another six months in a wheelchair. She also had to learn to walk again. And she still suffers from occasional pain. Yet Johnston has remained convinced of why she was given the choice of whether to continue living. "I believe I was allowed to return to reassure others that there's nothing to be afraid of when we die. No matter how difficult life gets, remain hopeful, because miracles can - and do - happen."

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