March was a very tough month for me. My grandmother passed away. As a kid, I remember growing up and asking her to play Batman with me, with my toys. I was Batman and Joker, while she was Vicky Vale or Catwoman. She was a huge part of my childhood and young-adulthood. When I had my first serious girlfriend in high school, she would talk with her for hours and hours, because she knew it made me happy that my family liked my girlfriend so much. Around the time, I was 18, my grandmother moved to a different state to live with her daughter. (My dad's sister) I never saw her after that, due to grudges in the family over other matters. We would keep in touch with letters and phone calls every now and then - but never saw each other.

A few weeks before she died, we had a conversation on the phone, where she said she would have loved to have some up-to-date photos of me, my dog, my brother, etc. I told her I would do it. Well, life got in the way and I slacked off doing that. I talked to her the next a few weeks later and she had taken a turn for the worst suddenly. It was very unexpected. Next thing I knew from that conversation - She was under hospice and sounded really groggy when I talked to her. I mailed the package on a Saturday and she passed away on Monday, and the package reached her on Tuesday.

At her funeral, her daughter said to me, "The package just missed her but she would have loved it." I felt pretty guilty. Shortly after my grandmother passed away, my parents gave me a diary of her's from when she was 19 years old. I remember a few weeks after her funeral, I held that diary in my hand, in my bedroom and cried. I cried because I missed her. I cried because I let family dynamics stop me from seeing her for almost ten years. I cried because I never got to tell her how much she meant to me. I cried because a lot of other stuff in my life is causing me personal drama right now, and the world seemed so screwed up. My grandmother is dead and drama is going on. Lastly, of course, I cried because I felt guilty that my package never reached her. I was so sorry.

A month after her funeral passed, and I had prayed since then, to her at random times, hoping via G-D, or a higher power, she could hear my prayers/thoughts/random conversations. I was at home and someone showed up to the doorstep. They were holding a letter in an envelope, and asked, "Are you Jason?" and I said, "Yes" - They responded by saying, "I have had this letter for years and never got around to bringing it by. It reached me by mistake. I'm sorry it took so long for me to give it to you." It was from my grandmother. I thanked the woman who brought it and shut my door. I recognized my grandmother's handwriting immediately and it was weird holding it. I opened the letter. The first lines were this: Dear Jason, Happy New Years! Thank you so much for the lovely package! I loved all the photos!" It gave me chills. I continued reading the letter and she said, "Tell your brother Hi for me. Give my love to your parents." The letter was dated 2008. Why on earth would it have taken this woman so long to give me this letter? And it wasn't like my grandmother's passing inspired her to do it (this was a month after she passed on and further - she didn't know my family.) It was this weird mix of comfort and shock - all at once. One of the last lines of the letter stated, "My wish for you is your wish for yourself!"

When my mom came home later that evening, I told her, "I got a letter from my grandmother today" and she kind stopped in her tracks. I explained what happened and my mom pretty much put to words how I exactly felt. It was my grandmother's way of letting me know, from beyond, she saw the photos I sent and she liked them. Further, she wanted me to be okay with everything and not hold onto that. Later that night, I was pretty mixed up over this whole thing. And I found a comic book I had meant to read a lot earlier but didn't get around to it, and in it, sure enough, the plot of the story dealt with Uncle Ben trying to let Peter Parker know that life goes on after he was gone, and he was going to be okay somehow.

I can say this (and hopefully won't jinx it), since that letter came, I've really felt as though my grandmother's spirit was around me, and her energy with protecting me. (Sorry if that sounds too new age foo-fooish for some of you guys) I honestly just feel very protected.

What do you guys think of this? Thoughts? Ever have any similar experiences? Is it silly for me to put meaning on this? I'd welcome any conversation about this.

P.S.
I love you Bee.

[Edited 5/24/12 1:33am]

[Edited 5/24/12 1:39am]

[Edited 5/24/12 1:40am]

First of all, I'm sorry for your loss and wish you all the best. It sounds like you have found a healthy way to deal with everything.

Out of curiousity, though, I ask you to allow this bold question (please, don't let it annoy you): are you really sure this was a "letter from heaven"? Isn't it possible that she meant a completely different package when she actually wrote that letter four years ago. Isn't it possible you were reading something into the whole story, because there it was part of a huge coincidence?

The good thing is, we don't have to be irrational to "feel" other people's presence, even when they are not with us. It simply means we think of them a lot and that we lead our lives in conscious memory of them.

While I've never actually read any letters from Heaven,

there have been a couple of times where I read a few posts on this site that I'm pretty sure came straight from Hell.

your story gave me chills!!!!!

your connection with your grandmother is amazing and i am so happy for you, getting her letter and that message - "My wish for you is your wish for yourself!" its so very inspirational!!!!

The fact that she wrote it in 2008 and that you received it just after her death proves she is with you!!!

your story is sad, happy and beautiful!!!

you know what i always say to my kids???? i tell them that often when things are bad and you least expect it, something wonderful happens and its so magical ~ it makes u believe.......

this is what just happen 2 u!!!

So sorry for your loss

Yep, your grand mother was communicating with you and you know it. Thank you for sharing your story. Keep talking to her she can hear you from the other side

Visionnaire said:

While I've never actually read any letters from Heaven,

there have been a couple of times where I read a few posts on this site that I'm pretty sure came straight from Hell.

And I'm sure yours come right out of your ass after being processed by your seven stomachs.

That was touching, man.

Sorry for your loss though I know your grandma is in a better place.

Every once in awhile someone will make a thread that truly inspires and gives one pause...this is one of those threads.

My condolences and thanks for sharing...

As the saying goes, "The Lord works in mysterious ways."

(Please substitue Lord for your preference as needed. I've no desire to start a religious debate.)

Vanilli, my condolences on the loss of your grandmother.

Dave, yes the letter was referencing an event from the past, but the timing of receiving the letter is just magical.

Maybe the lady that brought the letter had meant to return it, but didn't and the letter got pushed back into a drawer. Then the drawer was cleaned out, the letter found and returned.

Things like that happen all the time, but the timing speaks volumes and that it brings Vanilli peace and comfort is just a blessing.

Nothinbutjoy said:

As the saying goes, "The Lord works in mysterious ways."

(Please substitue Lord for your preference as needed. I've no desire to start a religious debate.)

Vanilli, my condolences on the loss of your grandmother.

Dave, yes the letter was referencing an event from the past, but the timing of receiving the letter is just magical.

Maybe the lady that brought the letter had meant to return it, but didn't and the letter got pushed back into a drawer. Then the drawer was cleaned out, the letter found and returned.

Things like that happen all the time, but the timing speaks volumes and that it brings Vanilli peace and comfort is just a blessing.

All this right here...

I'm so sorry that your grandmother died Really touching story. Almost seems like something from a movie it's so crazy.

Thanks for all the love!

It really means a lot to me that you guys all took the time to read this and post. I'll be responding as I go pretty soon here.