The After Life: My Brother's Visit

I haven't been blogging lately so when a new friend of mine named Gab asked if I blogged I thought to share this personal story of mine again hoping it will console those who are grieving and convince them that their loved ones are now off to an After Life. 
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In March of 2014 my brother was diagnosed with inoperable cancer and passed away about 30 days later. I did visit him in the hospital and stayed for 8 days. I live in NYC and he in my hometown Chicago. I did have to go back to NYC to work and Chuck told me very forcefully to "Be happy!" and that I should not come back. We had had a wonderful visit and talked non-stop. 

April 20th, I called the hospice to see how his night had been. The night nurse told me he was sleeping peacefully, heavily medicated for pain, and that she thought he would pass that day, which happened to be Easter Sunday. 

I asked if she would hold the phone to his ear as many believe people in comas, or in my brother's condition can still hear us. She did and I told him I loved him and that I looked forward to seeing him "later."

A few hours passed and I wanted to check on him but didn't want to bother the nurses as they are so busy. Instead, I began crying hard, sobbing, and then I suddenly felt a light tap on my head and heard my brother say cheerfully, "I thought I told you to be happy!" I looked at my clock and saw it was 9am. Still I didn't call the hospice. 

At 10:30 my sister called to say she had got the call that Chuck had passed away. I asked her,"What time?" She didn't know. I said I'd find out. 

I called and got the new shift nurse who told me after looking at his records that he's passed away at "8 o'clock, on the dot!" she said. 

​I hung up the phone and smiled thru my tears. 8am in Chicago is 9am in NYC. Just when Chuck stopped by to remind me to be happy. . .