Author discusses new book at NSCC

LYNN – Author Elissa Al-Chokhachy spoke at North Shore Community College Wednesday evening about her newest book, “Miraculous Moments: True Stories Affirming That Life Goes On,” a compilation of narratives that share people’s stories about near- and after-death experiences. All book sale proceeds will benefit the Labor of Love Fund for student and community outreach, which Al-Chokhachy and VP of NSCC Sandra Edwards started more than 10 years ago.Working as a hospice nurse since 1991, Al-Chokhachy deals with patients facing death while simultaneously giving hope to their bereaved loved ones that life after death is possible. Giving hope comes easily for Al-Chokhachy, as she experienced her own grief at the age of 23 after her cousin was killed in a car accident.”Two weeks after the accident, I woke up one morning in a half-awake, half-asleep state. All of a sudden, I saw my cousin standing clearly before me looking completely healthy and healed. He told me that he was fine and that everything would be okay.” She says she didn’t fully realize the impact of the experience until 13 years later when she started working as a hospice nurse.”Families really need to know that their loved ones would be okay,” says Al-Chokhachy. “After I shared my experience with others who had dealt with a loved one who passed away, they would open up to me and tell me experiences with after-death communication with their loved ones that they wouldn’t tell anyone else on the earth. They didn’t want people to think they were crazy.” Many of the stories people shared with Al-Chokhachy are featured in her book, which she wrote as a treasury of hope and healing.”After-death communication is far more common than people think,” she says. “It can come in a variety of ways, from seeing a loved one in a dream to recognizing symbols that remind you of your loved one.”The crowd at NSCC undoubtedly agreed, as many of the individuals at the event shared their own experiences.Michael Wheeler shared his experience of after-death communication in dreams he has featuring one of his brothers who passed away. “My brother drove an old El Dorado and he loved that car,” says Wheeler. “Whenever I’m stressed out or anxious, I always have dreams with my brother in them driving the El Dorado. It instantly brings me back to the old, carefree days when he was still alive.”Al-Chokhachy says while dreams are one of the most common ways to experience after-death communication with a loved one, feeling their touch is also a sign. Although many people associate after-death communication with humans, Al-Chokhachy says pets are not excluded.Kerry Quintiliani shared her experience that occurred after her beloved cat, Rocky, passed away. “I constantly wake up in the middle of the night and reach out to pet him,” she says. “I can literally feel his paw touching me or his body up against mine, even though I know he’s not there.”Other stories were shared from individuals who have seen rainbows, butterflies, ladybugs and many other symbols in random places after the passing of a loved one. “You can look at all of these things as a sign that your loved one is trying to tell you that they are fine. Life will go on,” says Al-Chokhachy.Al-Chokhachy is also a fellow in thanatology, the study of death, dying and bereavement, and works as the NSCC health counselor. She is currently working on a companion book to “Miraculous Moments,” titled “Miraculous Moments for Bereaved Parents,” which is a compilation of stories offering hope to the dying and bereaved regarding after-death communication from parents who have experienced the loss of a young child.Al-Chokhachy’s previous books, “The Angel With the Golden Glow” and “How Can I Help, Papa?” have also centered on the concepts of loss and healing.To learn more about the author, visit www.miraculousmoments.com.