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Jackie was gone. My dear friend and neighbor, to whom I had ministered in the last six months of her dying, had finally been released from her pain and had been taken to her true home in heaven. At home, following the funeral Mass, my heart was heavy with grief. I laid down and closed my eyes, slipping into contemplative prayer.

Then, I was startled by the most beautiful voice I have ever heard. "Good morning," she said. The voice, though truly indescribable, sounded as pure as the ringing of a lovely bell.

"Who are you?" I replied in amazement. My eyes remained closed in prayer, and I saw a vision of the profile of a lovely woman with a flawless complexion and a head covering of blue and white. "Who are you?" I asked again. The vision faded and I saw two words, "Mother -- Mother."

Talking with my spiritual director about it, I asked him what "Mother -- Mother" meant. He assured me that it would be revealed to me. The next day in class at the seminary, the professor wrote on the board, "Mother -- Mother," and followed it with the explanation, "Mother of the Redeemer, Mother of Us." The whole experience gave me a great sense of peace and increased devotion to the Mother of God. It helped me deal with my sadness over losing my friend, and strengthened my belief that she was truly with God.

A few days later, I dreamed of seeing a large, misty, gray sheet, which appeared more like a very large scroll. Suddenly, the lower corner was lifted up and peeking around the edge of the scroll-sheet was Jackie, eyes sparkling and smiling. She said, "I'm here!" and the dream ended. I awoke, feeling faith-filled, peaceful, and happy for her arrival at her true home, with God.