"At only forty-one years of age, my brother Kenneth was dying of kidney failure. He had already lost his vision. Watching him become a complete invalid at such a young age was excruciating. It all seemed so unfair; he was my 'little' brother. Now the end was near. Kenneth was so cold that no amount of blankets could warm him. He knew he was dying and he was in terrible pain. He dozed restlessly and woke frequently. Each time he woke, he shared more of his final journey with me...the journey toward heaven. First he informed me, 'No one dies alone. The dying are sent a friend or relative from their life (who has preceded them) to be with them. Grandma Jensen is standing in the corner.'"

"Later he woke and told me, 'I have been going through a tunnel toward a bright light.'Afterwards, sleep once again descended peacefully.

"The next revelation revealed that his ultimate healing was beginning. 'I'm not cold. I can feel the warmth of the light now.'

"Later he woke and said, 'I am not blind anymore! I can see again, and I don't have any more pain!'Presently, though his eyes were closed, Kenneth rotated his head from one side, all the way to the other side as though he was seeing something expansive. Suddenly his eyes shot widely open. He beamed and exclaimed, 'I wish you could see it. It's so beautiful there!' With that he was gone."

Gladys has used this story as her ministry for almost sixty years. She assists family's that are having a funeral at her church. There, she looks for people who are having a really difficult time and shares her story with them. "You should see their countenances change as I share my story," Gladys exclaims.

Gladys has found a beautiful way to take this tragic event in her life, the loss her younger brother, and use his story for God's glory and the encouragement of others. She gladly shares her story with you.

I hear amazing stories like this regularly, as a hospice harpist. I think if people could see what I see and hear what I hear, they would have no fear of death and the dying process. If I had not had faith before I began my work with hospice, I would by now! I trust that my purpose at this time in history is to remind people of their creator's love for each of them: "Do not be afraid; I am with you."