"Near Death Experience"

In the early 1990's, I was married to a destructive and abusive husband. My life was not my own and I did as I was told. One afternoon, my husband received a phone call from a co-worker of mine inviting us to a party. I reluctantly tried to back out of the invitation, but my husband had other ideas..

We arrived at the party a few hours later. There was a lot of loud obnoxious music playing in the background and lots of alcohol everywhere. I was not a drinker but my husband told me to "lighten up and relax."  Not wanting to make him mad, I opted for a rum and coke. The hours rolled on and so did the drinks. I then began asking for only coca cola since I didn't care for the rum drink. Instead my co-worker and my husband began playing tricks on me, giving me vodka and coke with each glass. I only remember being thirstier with each drink.

I do not know how we got home at all. I woke up lying on the carpet of our second story apartment. When I closed my eyes a second time, I saw the brightest whitest light all around me with what appeared to be soft clouds/fog at my feet. I felt at peace and love like I never experienced before. The next time I opened my eyes I saw the carpet again and questioned what I had just seen.. My husband kicked me as he was walking out the door. "It was pretty funny watching you last night. After 10 glasses of mixed drinks, you made a real fool of yourself. We even had fun filling your glass with straight rum a few times. Besides you aren't worth anything anyway."

I got up, called the hospital and spoke with a doctor. I explained what I had been told about all the mixed drinks without my knowledge. I then told him my experience about seeing the light. "You probably have alcohol poisoning if what you say is true. If you consumed that much alcohol last night, it's truly a miracle you are still alive. And yes I believe you saw a glimpse of Heaven." I didn't dare go to the hospital to report anything. Being a victim of domestic violence and having lingering threats held over my head was too much for me to risk. I continued staying with my husband until he grew tired of me and opted for a divorce.. The near death experience with alchol served as a constant reminder that no matter what situation I am in, God is always in total control.

Ann Eide

Ann is a devoted wife and mom and an established writer/author/photographer. As a survivor of spouse abuse (former marriage), she is now an advocate against domestic violence and speaks to a variety of groups and organizations. Her credits include: lovechristnow.com, Poetry.com, Entropic Desires, BetterPhotos.com, Olan Mills Directory Services, WeeParents Magazine, Oprah.com, Hood Poetry, International Storybook, and Halo Village. Recently she finished a children's manuscript for a picture book on the topic of domestic violence. She is also working on a non fiction adult domestic violence book: compilation of stories, poems, thoughts from victims and survivors. Portions of the proceeds of the sale of both books as well as her speaking engagements will be donated to the National Domestic Violence Hotline.. Her Christian adult fiction novel will be completed by the winter of 2002.