What an interesting and personal discussion we had this evening, all about Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander. Thanks to Jean for hosting in her parent's absolutely beautiful home, weren't we lucky she and Julie were able to negotiate a swap so that we can see them both these two months! Also thanks to everyone who contributed to a beautiful array of delicious food. Susan brought bags full of fresh yummy stuff like figs and Lynn had amazing fig treats. I need a fig tree!
Among us, many had met Dr. Alexander, a neurosurgeon from Lynchburg, or had heard him speak at one of his several Richmond appearances. Beryl and I had talked with him, me at some length during the Book and Author luncheon this past May. He is personally engaging, articulate and obviously convinced of his experiences. Catherine, Jean and Lynn all saw him at Reveille Church and came away with different opinions - Lynn skeptical, Jean and Catherine all in.
And that was in fact the way the group fell out on the book - with slightly more skeptics than believers but we all agreed that Dr. Alexander had this experience and is not fabricating a story, he is convinced this has happened to him. Kathy added in her sister's experiences from her many years as a hospice nurse which validated much of what he went through. At the same time, those universal types of experiences did not, to some of us, prove that heaven does exist, rather it was proof that we as humans travel the same pathways of human interaction and love, reaching for those we have loved, who made us feel secure, as we experience the last surges of life.
There were many personal stories of deaths and near-deaths in our families that corresponded with the outlines of Dr. Alexander's story. The one consistent thread was the connection, often a physical one, with loved ones and how that made the difference. In Dr. Alexander's case, his family members made the decision to stay with him all day and night, holding his hand, speaking to him, encouraging him to come back. He talked about being pulled back, by those who still needed him, only to find out that his younger son was talking to him, asking him to come back during the last stages of his coma.
Dr. Alexander's experience in heaven gave him endless confidence that he was loved, that he didn't need to worry, that all around him were there for him.His family had been with him during his coma all day and night every day, which could have created that feeling for him. Catherine shared an incredible experience that she had with her younger son who was very ill at age 2 1/2. In her case, she climbed into his crib in the hospital, after days of a coma, hugged him and told him it was not his time to go... and he opened his eyes and said "hi, momma". The incredible power of love from those around us are indeed what we felt cause us to come back from the brink, or allow us to pass on with peace.
So do we believe him or not? The conclusion seemed to be that the afterlife is not a function of religion or ritual but instead a great connectedness in some way that creates a greater good, a larger purpose and a reason to exist or to expire. We didn't believe him, but we didn't discount him either. What a great night, thank you all!
On to more prosaic subjects, our next meeting is at Julie's on September 16 at 6:30 pm. Our book is The Enchanted Life of Adam Hope, another Book and Author find. Please let Julie know what you will bring along, let's hope it is warm enough for us to hang at her pool.
October's book is The Wife, by Meg Worlitzer, place to be determined. November is Haints by Clint McCown, is this author related to our own Dawn? If so, could she use her influence to get him to talk to us? I hope so!!
Thank you all for allowing me to be part of such a wonderful, thoughtful and intelligent group of readers. All the best to Sally Eddows, who is recovering from a mild concussion, we want to see you back next month!
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