Forever Ours: A Forensic Pathologist's Perspective on Immortality and Living -- A Collection of Real-Life Stories

by Janis Amatuzio, MD

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Minneapolis, MN: Midwest Forensic Pathology, P.A., 3960 Coon Rapid Blvd., LL21, Coon Rapids, MN 55433 www.foreverours.com 203 pp. $19.95

This is an amazing, heartwarming, spiritual book written by a pathologist who has a big heart and truly cares for the families of people who have died under difficult or questionable circumstances and required her to perform an autopsy.

A wonderful series of stories is shared, much in the style of Chicken Soup for the Soul, each speaking for itself of the inspiration and hope brought by pre-death visions and bereavement apparitions.

Here is a particularly poignant tale:

The wife of a man who died suddenly due to unusual cardiac problems was sorely distressed by lengthy delays in obtaining the death certificate, due to pathology consultations on the tumor that had cause d the death.

"Julie continued, 'I was exhausted, numbly making funeral arrangements. The third night when I got back in out bed, I started crying all over again. I'd read for him and he wasn't there. I think I finally fell asleep around 3:00 AM. At about 4:00 AM I was awakened by the sound of footsteps in the hall. I sat up in bed, listening ... thinking it might be my son. I had closed out bedroom door so that my sobbing wouldn't wake up the children. Doctor, the next thing that happened was the most amazing thing that has ever happened in my life.' She paused and I waited 'It was Randy, those were his footsteps. I saw him walk right through our bedroom door. It was dark. I don't even have a nightlight, and I could see him clearly; he just glowed! He had a wonderful smile on his face and walked right up to bed. I couldn't believe my eyes! I was shocked! We talked for a long time. He told me what to do with our children and about their future plans. We talked about the finances and the property that I couldn't sell until I had that damn death certificate!' (I now began to understand the urgency and the anger over the death certificate.) 'But that was not all. I felt so calm, so reassured, so okay in his presence, for the first time in almost 4 days. I told him I didn't want him to leave and what he said then will last me a lifetime. I remember that while we were visiting, he sat on the bed next to me and had his hand on my shoulder. He wiped the tears from my eyes and told me that our love would be forever--that whenever I needed him to just think of him and he would come rushing to my side. He told me that I would feel his presence and love in my life many time and in many way and that he would be there to help our children throughout their own lives. I can't even put it all in words, Doctor. There are no words to describe the comfort that I felt... but there is more.

"'When we finished talking, I felt overwhelmed and wrapped up in his love. As I said, we had never slept apart and always slept wrapped together like spoons. As far fetched as this sounds, Randy then laid down in the bed beside me and wrapped his arms around me.' Her voice shaking a little, she added, 'I felt the weight of his body and the warmth of it. I slept soundly and contentedly for the first time in 3 days.'

"'My, my, what a marvelous experience!' I said.

"'Yes, when I awakened the next morning, I was overwhelmed and, most of all, comforted. I could feel that he was gone, but when I think of him now, I feel a warmth around my back and neck. I know that is his love.'

"She paused. 'I still miss him so much though, this is so hard to get used to,' she sighed. 'I broke down and cried in front of the bananas at the grocery store last week. Randy just loved bananas. But by the time I got to the checkout line, I could feel the heat on my neck and I had to smile. I bought the bananas in spite of myself.' We both laughed." (p. 117-119)

This is a book that can transform your views and understandings about death and the hereafter. It is also a confirmation that there are physicians out there with big hearts. 

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