When we lose a loved one I believe that they are always near us in our hearts and minds. Each time I lost a loved one – first my grandfather, father, mother, grandmother, and finally my aunt, I experienced a visit by them.
There are many who do not believe in such things so I haven’t shared these experiences with anyone but my husband. He is a non-believer but listened because he knew I had a deep faith in God and angels.
When I was going through a troubling time I would go to sleep and hear my mother’s voice telling me everything would be all right. Other times I heard my father’s voice and his laugh or a song he used to sing.
I was very close to my grandmother. She was a force that you wouldn’t want to go up against. Even my mild-manner, sweet grandfather feared her. As in life, Grandpa always stood behind her to lend support in his understated way. She was a strong, resilient and no holds barred woman. She had a sense of humor and loved to laugh. Her laughter always reminded me of the canned laughter of a woman at one of the food stands at the beach. Each time you passed this stand the laughter would peal out and remind me of her.
Avoa (grandmother), as we always called her in Portuguese, was always there to help me. She took care of my son from seven weeks old until he was two, then my mother took over his care until he was four.
One day when I was seven months pregnant with my second child I was on my way to visit my mother when I fell down several stairs. My poor four-year-old son was at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me. I fortunately twisted my body in mid-air so I landed mostly on my right side injuring my right ankle. I don’t know how I managed, but I got my son into the car and drove to my mother’s house. Luckily for me my brother was visiting at the time and took me directly to the hospital. My mother took care of my son until I could come back to get him.
My Avoa once again came to the rescue and took me to all doctor appointments afterwards to check the baby until I delivered. Luckily, my daughter was unharmed. Avoa came to my house with my mother to care for me and my four-year-old son every day until I could walk on my own again. I don’t know what I would have done without her and my mother.
Due to the strong bond Avoa and I had I often felt her in my dreams. On one particular night I was upset over something but couldn’t figure out how to handle the problem. I tossed and turned in my sleep and then suddenly sat up and looked next to my bed. There stood a dark figure. It was so real I swear I was not dreaming when I heard my grandmother’s voice telling me what to do. Normally I would have screamed seeing a dark figure standing over me but somehow I was not frightened because I believed it was a benevolent spirit.
It never happened again even though I have many dreams that continue to this day of all of them together smiling at me and sending their love. I believed I had a visit from beyond when I was most in need.
I have faith that our loved ones always watch over us even in death. It is comforting to know that they can reach us in ways we never imagined. Each time I have a close call on the highway or in other circumstances I feel they are watching over me. I pray I will be able to do the same for the loved ones I leave behind one day.
Thank you, Sue, for welcoming me on your fantastic blog. I am honored to be here to share my story.
Blessings & hugs to you and your readers!
Janice Spina / aka J.E. Spina
About the Author
Janice Spina aka J.E. Spina is an award-winning author with twenty published books ranging from infants to adults and in multi-genres. She has been writing since the age of nine. Janice always dreamed of being an author but did not realize this dream until after she retired from an administrative secretarial position in a public school system in Massachusetts.
In 2013 she published two children’s books, followed by three more children’s books and one novel in 2014, two children’s books, and two middle-grade/preteen detective books 1 & 2 in 2015 and one novel, a children’s book, and Book 3 and 4 of her MG/PT series in 2016 and a short story collection, children’s book and a MG/PT detective series book 5 in 2017, and two children’s books and the sequel to her first novel were published in 2018. She is working on a MG/PT/YA mystery series for girls that will be published in the summer of 2018. Her husband, John, illustrator and cover creator, is working on illustrations for Janice’s first fairy tale which she hopes to publish later in 2018. A YA fantasy needs to be edited and will be published as a series in 2019 and beyond.
Janice submitted an article to an anthology collection by author Kristina Stanley and published a short story in The Writers Newsletter. Janice’s books have won a total of ten book awards – six Pinnacle Book Achievement Awards, one Mom’s Choice Awards, two Reader’s Favorite Book Awards an Honorable Mention and a Silver Medal, and a Silver Medal from Authorsdb Cover Contest.
Her goal is to write for all ages and encourage children to read which will cultivate a love of reading and carry them throughout their lives.
Janice’s motto is Reading Can Give You Wings to Fly. Soar with Jemsbooks.com. Her logo is Jemsbooks – Books for all ages. Her husband, John, illustrates all her children’s books and creates the covers for all her books.
Janice plans to write more children’s books, middle-grade, young adult fantasy and novels over the next few years. As the author says, “There is always another story running around in my head just waiting to be written down.”
Janice’s hobbies are crocheting, exercising (walking, hula hooping to keep in shape), and reading, reviewing books, blogging, traveling, going out to the movies and dinner with my husband, and spending time with her five grandchildren who are her inspiration to write.
Find and Follow Janice
Website Blog Amazon Author Page
Barnes & Noble: Children’s Books Barnes & Noble: Novels
Lucy, the Talented Toy Terrier
Available at Amazon, for Kindle and via Barnes & Noble
This book is based on my dog, Lucy, who I had for 16 years. She was quite a character and did all the things that are in this book. She loved my spaghetti with homemade sauce, watched TV shows featuring animals, hated baths, “sang” when music was played, and had two cherished possessions, a knotted rag and a ball. I hope you will enjoy reading about Lucy. She is no longer with us and can never be replaced.
Lucy was a special kind of dog. I guess everyone’s dog is a special kind of dog. Lucy gave me such joy, cheered me up when I was sad, and snuggled close when I needed a friend. I miss her still today.
My husband, John, created this book. Each time he illustrates one of my books he changes things up a bit and creates something different. When you look at this book you will see what I mean.
Other Books by Janice Spina
Click here to go to her Amazon Author Page
PS-Grade 3 (ages 0-8):
Louey the Lazy Elephant
Ricky the Rambunctious Raccoon
Jerry the Crabby Crayfish
Lamby the Lonely Lamb
Jesse the Precocious Polar Bear
Broose the Moose on the Loose
Sebastian Meets Marvin the Monkey
Colby the Courageous Cat
Jeffrey the Jittery Giraffe
Clarence Henry the Hermit Crab
Lucy the Talented Toy Terrier
Middle-Grade: Grades 4–7 (ages 9-12):
Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Book 1 (The Case of the Missing Cell Phone)
Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Book 2 (The Case of the Mysterious Black Cat)
Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Book 3 (The Case of the Magical Ivory Elephant)
Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Book 4 (The Case of the Brown Scraggly Dog)
Davey & Derek Junior Detectives Book 5 (The Case of the Sad Mischievous Ghost)
Book 6 in Davey & Derek Series coming in 2018
A new mystery series for girls coming in 2018
Young Adult: Grades 8-12 (ages 13+):
YA fantasy Series coming in 2019 & 2020
Novels: Ages 18+:
Hunting Mariah (thriller/mystery/crime)
Mariah’s Revenge (Sequel to Hunting Mariah)
How Far Is Heaven (paranormal/mystery/romance)
An Angel Among Us (A short Story Collection)
Elusive realities
If you have had a strange experience or encounter that you would like to share, please get in touch with me at findme@scvincent.com (or my usual email if you already have it) and we can discuss a guest post.
I am not looking for sensationalism or fictional tales… but in light of the response to some recent posts, I think it would be both useful and reassuring to others to realise that none of us are alone in these strange encounters and experiences and perhaps we can open discussion on what they may be or may mean.
If you would like to share your story but prefer to remain anonymous, we can discuss that too. If you would like to share your beliefs and opinions on the nature of these experiences, I would be happy to talk about a guest post. Through sharing with respect we may learn to understand our world and each other a little better.
You can find previously published encounters with elusive realities here.
Thank you, Sue, for having me on your blog! I am thrilled to be here! Blessings & hugs xx Will share!
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Lovely to have you over, Janice…and thank you 🙂 xx
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❤️
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Pingback: Elusive realities: Janice Spina – Visits from Beyond | Jemsbooks
I loved this, Janice. I feel the presence of loved ones, too. I don’t see them, but they are there. Sometimes they fill me with happiness, as if to wash away my deep worries. It is sudden and strong. Other times they are there, and I talk to them. They don’t answer back in words, only in ways that I feel. Like your husband, mine has never felt the presence of his beloved father or mother. Thank you for your wonderful story!
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Thank you, Jennie. That is wonderful that you feel them too. My family are always near in my heart but also in my dreams. I think our husbands fight it too much. If they relaxed and believed that anything is possible it may happen to them too. Thanks for stopping by. Hugs x
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You are exactly right! Best to you, Janice.
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A wonderful post, Janice and Sue. Janice, you are certainly most fortunate to have had such a caring family around you during your times of greatest need.
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Thank you, Robbie. I guess they know I need all the help I can get. LOL! I open my mind and heart to them and they respond. hugs
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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Thanks for sharing, Michael .
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Thank you for sharing!
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What a beautiful post, Janice. YES! I know first-hand we get visits from loved ones who have crossed over. I need to write about a visit I had from my husband after he passed over. It was surreal. It was like he was taking me on a tour of where he was. I still get shivers when I think about it. I’ve had several other visits, but none so profound as that first one. Thank you for sharing, and thank you, Sue, for hosting.
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You’d be welcome over here any time, Jan.
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Thank you, Sue.
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🙂
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Thank you, Jan. I would love to hear about your visit with your husband. Please share it here with Sue. Please accept my sincere condolences on your loss. It is a difficult thing to handle. He may have known your difficulty and tried to ease your pain. That gives me shivers too. Blessings & hugs to you.
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
Author Janice Spina.. author of both books for children and thrillers for adults, is a guest today on Sue Vincent’s blog.. many of us will feel the presence of those we have loved and lost, particularly in challenging times. Janice shares her own experiences.
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Thanks, Sally. xx
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Thank you, deal Sally, for the re-blog! You are too kind! Much love & hugs xx
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Pleasure Janice.. have a lovely weekend.. hugs xx
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Thank you, dear Sally. That was an oops. Sorry. hugs xx
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Pingback: Elusive realities: Janice Spina – Visits from Beyond – The Militant Negro™
Thank you 🙂
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Often people don’t like to share these experiences Janice, but you’re in the right place here. ❤ No doubts our angels and lost loved ones are there in dire moments. I've encountered it several times. They are like little miracles. ❤ xx
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Always space for you to share more of your tales here, Debby ❤ xx
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Aw thanks Sue. You know I’ll be back with something! ❤
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Any time you have time, Debby xx
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thanks Sue xxx
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Yes, Debby, I agree. They are like little miracles. hugs xx
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Thank you Janice for sharing your experience and thank you Sue for sharing it here.
I had a similar experience when i was diagnosed with cancer. I was so devastated, that i didn’t know what to do. Our adopted children were still very small, they needed me, was all what i could think of. And then that being, i believed it was God, embraced me and put me on his lap. He was full of love and told me: I have healed you. That in mind, i still went through a bad time and waited to die. but here i am, still under the living. He has healed me.I actually never told anyone. But never forgot about it, and still feel him sometimes.
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That must have beena deeply moving experience, Gigi. Thank you for sharing it here.
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That is beautiful, Gigi. Thank God you are well now. Thanks for sharing that. hugs xx
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I was also very close to my grandmother. From time to time I dream she comes to visit. I am always ecstatic, but always say, “I thought you died.”
Always, she replies, “I am. I just came for a visit.”
We go on to have a wonderful visit that s not bittersweet in any way. We just enjoy each other, like we always did.
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Those visits are beautiful. Moments shared, however we explain them.
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How wonderful you have visits with her in your dreams. I miss my grandmother too. I haven’t had a visit with her since that time. They somehow know that we need them still. Thanks for stopping by Beth. Hugs
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Α wonderful post! 😊
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Thank you, Sofia. 🙂
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A wonderful post and so uplifting. Our loved ones are always with us. xxx
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xxx
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Thank you, Adele. Yes, they are always with us. hugs
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An amazing story of your grandmother helping you out with a problem. Wow! You are definitely wrapped in her love. Many blessings, Jan. Hugs too! ❤
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Thank you, Colleen! Hugs to you too! ❤️
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