Embracing Life’s Second Chance: A Journey of Hope, Transformation, and Divine Presence
Imagine being told that you have just 30 minutes left to live. Who would you want to say goodbye to? What regrets would you have? These were the questions that confronted me on August 30, 1996, a day etched forever in my memory as the day I had my second near-death experience. Little did I know then that this experience would change my life in the most profound and inspiring ways.
In 1989, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, a debilitating condition that brought with it rapid weight loss, excruciating pain, and relentless chronic diarrhea. I felt lost, devastated, and angry. To make matters worse, an abusive first husband compounded the challenges I faced. Over the next seven years, I endured a staggering 18 surgeries. Then, in 1996, I was rushed to the hospital with an unimaginable level of pain – my intestine had burst!
Emotionally, I had reached a breaking point, yearning for an escape from the constant pain and stress that had consumed my life. I vividly remember the chaos of nurses and doctors frantically bustling around me, their voices distant, as my body grew lighter, and the pain melted away. I felt an overwhelming sense of peace, joy, and love washing over me.
I couldn’t pinpoint my location, but it felt like a place I wanted to be. In the midst of this ethereal experience, I saw a vision of fog and dark shapes. Emerging from the mist was a face I knew all too well – my Grandpa Buck, my best friend and mentor. The sheer happiness of seeing him again was indescribable.
What I haven’t shared until now is that Jesus was at Grandpa Buck’s side as I got to him. In that moment, I felt the presence of something divine, a force of love and comfort that transcended human understanding. Their presence radiated warmth and reassurance, filling me with a profound sense of peace and purpose.
In that mystical moment, Grandpa Buck conveyed a powerful message to me: “Suzy, it’s not your time. You have to go back. You have millions of pets and people relying on you to help them cope, heal, and move forward.” With those words, I was abruptly brought back to reality, waking up in my hospital bed to a sea of bewildered faces. The doctors and nurses thought they had lost me. From that instant, my outlook on life underwent a profound transformation. I realized I was never truly alone and that I had a purpose to fulfill.
Five weeks later, I returned home, slowly regaining my health and ultimately conquering the disease that had once held me captive. I embraced my newfound empowerment and decisively showed my soon-to-be-ex-husband the door, embarking on a journey toward self-improvement that encompassed physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual growth.
In 2001, I joined Toastmasters to confront my fear of public speaking, a journey that eventually led me to appear on television shows and turn my speeches into books and training courses. I met the man of my dreams, my best friend and mentor, who helped me confront that fear of public speaking, and now husband of 20+ wonderful years, Ross. I became a radio host on an AM station, started performing healings on people and pets, and aided pet owners in coping with the loss of their beloved companions. My pet column even found a home in a magazine.
Today, I find myself living the very life my beloved Grandpa Buck described during that otherworldly encounter, with Jesus by his side, a constant source of divine inspiration and guidance. Through this near-death experience, I learned the profound lesson that life is fleeting, and we should never take anything for granted. If you love someone, tell them. If you appreciate someone, express it. Each day is a gift, and it’s worth celebrating.
Reflecting on my life’s journey, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every experience, every challenge, and every triumph has shaped me into the person I am today, and for that, I am immensely grateful. My hope is that my story can inspire you to embrace life’s second chances, to love fiercely, and to chase your dreams with unwavering determination. Remember, life is a precious gift, and it’s up to us to make the most of it.
Wishing you Much Love & Many Blessings, Sue London
©2023 Meet Sue London, a compassionate and award-winning Hospice Pet Doula and Pet Healer. Sue’s mission is simple: to bring comfort, peace, and healing to animals and their beloved owners during their most challenging moments.
Sue’s unique gift comes from her own near-death experiences, which have given her the remarkable ability to help pets cross over peacefully while providing reassurance to their human companions. She can convey the exact emotions pets feel as they embark on their final journey and reveal the presence of departed loved ones who come to offer support.
What sets Sue apart is her ability to share the heartfelt messages of pets, both from this side and the other. She passionately advocates for the well-being of pets and their human companions through her work as an accomplished author, speaker, and trainer.
Sue’s articles and insights are a source of solace for those seeking understanding and support for their pet’s end-of-life journey or overall well-being. To learn more about Sue London and her heartwarming work, please visit her website at www.asksuelondon.ca
