In reports of NDE’s (Near Death Experiences) many speak of their spirits floating into a loving light or walking into a tunnel. In my novel, The Girl Who Could Read Hearts, an angel chair—as transport to the afterlife—appears in dreams and at the death of two characters. Is such a chair real or is it mere fiction?

The imagery of an angel chair is significant to me because I have experienced spontaneous visions of a chair accompanied by two angels numerous times over the years. All were either prior to or upon the death of a family member. Each revelation pierced my soul, leaving a profound impression.

The first awareness I had of an angel chair potentially existing in the heavenly realms was in early spring of 1998 when my dear mother-in-law, Ruth Maysonave, was living her final days on Earth. Five years prior when she was first diagnosed with lung cancer, she had surgery in which one lung and a portion of the other were removed. In the fall of 1997, the lung cancer returned with a vengeance; it was advanced and inoperable this time.

A remarkable woman, Ruth faced her prognosis and death courageously and with enormous faith and peace. She opted out of treatment, refusing chemotherapy and radiation. She chose to live out her last months at home with Hospice care.

One night when my husband, Stephen, and I were visiting, Ruth called me into her bedroom, which was not uncommon as part of her nightly ritual when we were there. She often wanted us to come in together, and then sometimes separately. As per her request that evening, I went in alone. She patted the blue blanket, motioning for me to sit there on the bed aside her. I grasped her hands and asked how she was holding up. She looked me squarely in the eyes and said that her time was approaching, that she could feel it. She said, “I know Heaven is awaiting me, but I really need your prayers, Sherry.” The way she spoke the words imparted an unmistakable knowing that her time was short—yes, indeed. The intense yet ethereal look in her eyes told me clearly that she embraced death, invited it, longed for it, and was ready. Yet, like all of us, she did not want to suffer a physically excruciating passing.

In addition to my ongoing prayers for her, the next day I did a special meditation where I prayed mightily for Ruth, specifically for an easy death and transition for her. After the prayers, I went deeper into meditation, and suddenly a clear vision unfolded: she sat on a chair flanked by two luminous angels, one on each side of her. The angels seemed to be guiding the chair upward. As they ascended, Ruth threw her head back and laughed heartily. She was ecstatic!

Two days later, Ruth Maysonave slipped into a coma and died peacefully …to Earth, that is.

Here’s one “angel-chair” episode from The Girl Who Could Read Hearts.

Excerpt from Chapter 8:

Her eyes became open windows with the screens removed. Annateresa saw her mother’s spirit body rise from her deathbed, walk through a crystalline arched doorway and sit on a magnificent chair—a golden-silvery one, ornately carved. Two angels pulled a strap across her mother’s lap as if fastening a seat belt; then, flanking each side behind her, they held the top corners of the chair and flew upward.

As the angel chair ascended, her mother smiled and waved to Annateresa. It was the cutest wave, her palm forward, fingers together, making a distinct, but slight, horizontal movement. It was her mother’s signature wave. That is, when she was happy.

The earthly body, the one lying on the hospital bed, gave one final exhale. Then there was nothing, nothing but absolute stillness. There was no following inhale, only startling stillness in the flesh that Annateresa had known as Mother.