When the spirit hits close to home

Oh this one hit me hard. Last evening I was watching TV when I was contacted by a person who had a deeply personal resonance in my life. I was contacted by a friend and mentor, who had passed away earlier this year. She was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's disease, and was robbed of her life's mission. I met her when I was an intern at NASA Goddard, and she hired me full time to work in planetary education in 2004. It was her foresight for the future of NASA education and what we could do as an educational community that made us so successful in the early 'aughts in reaching a diverse set of audiences. She gave us such a feeling of a sense of community, and how using a new and emerging tools like social media could ensure that the great work of the NASA mission would reach as wide an audience as possible. She taught me so much about thinking outside the box, the value of giving outsiders a voice, and being open to the possibilities that life had to offer. I can't count on my fingers and toes the life lessons she taught me.  

    Since my spiritual awakening, I've often wondered why I hadn't heard from her. But yesterday's interaction proved to me what I've experienced over and over again. These spirits come to me at a time when they feel like it, and for a specific purpose. My mentor and friend came to me this evening with a specific message for her spouse. The shock of her coming to me, which admittedly took a bit to overcome, was shadowed by the fact that her message needed to be delivered. She sat with me while I in real time processed my grief of her passing, and my apology for never acknowledging the pain it caused before then. I had already received and written down her message, but I give her credit that she stayed with me while I worked through my feelings. By the time I had settled myself enough to process what was said and was ready to receive additional messages for others in her life, she was gone. Just like that. As quickly as she popped in, she popped back out again. That is so very much like her. Always the pragmatist and not one for beating around the bush. I hope I hear from her again, but even if I don't, I'm thankful she chose me to deliver her message.