Seeing as it's now 2022, and Covid is still the big giant pain in the ass that it is that it was two whole years ago, coupled along with... for me, an abundance of free time because of my work leave... I've actually done myself a favor and actually started reading books. And liking it, even.
I've never really been much of a book reader. It's probably not right to say that I'm not smart enough to read, which I've said that about myself a lot through life. But really, I just had to give it a chance, undistracted, open up my mind to strange new worlds in fiction and non-fiction, and give my brain a bit of a workout. I wanted to start off with something that would give me some kind of hope. The title kind of did it for me... "Proof of Heaven".
Whether you're religious or not, this is a pretty compelling read. Dr. Alexander doesn't really subscribe to one particular religion over another, or even in beliefs. What he tries to rationalize in this story is what he feels happened to him while he was in a coma for over a week. The memories he professes to retain from his otherworldly journey into the afterlife are cross-examined by himself, as he tries to punch holes in the reasoning behind why he might have had this happen to him to begin with. Being a doctor... and a neurosurgeon, and highly respected at that, he realizes he puts his credibility in jeopardy by writing this book, and even sympathizing with those who are non-believers. Yet he insists that the deeply detailed, colorful, full-of-life imagery that he believes he encountered happened on some plane of existence we just don't understand yet.
This isn't just a story about his experience while he was under in a coma, though. He was truly near death. Some might argue with what he went through, he'd have been better of if he'd died, except he survived, when he actually shouldn't have. He details the family life he was brought up with, having been adopted as a baby, and raised lovingly by his new parents. Without giving anything away, there comes a significant reveal near the end of his story that ties things up nicely that really does give you hope. Not just for him, but for yourself. For everyone.
The hope that he winds up espousing is, that we are never alone. And what waits for us beyond this life is unimaginable, literally. I came away from reading this feeling uplifted, and fearing dying less. It's not really death I'm afraid of as dying, because that just seems like it'll be awfully painful, chances are. But it's what comes next that this makes me feel good about. Although my one qualm is that the book's title is a bit of a misnomer. He has no literal proof of where he claims he was.
No matter your faith, denomination, or if you're agnostic or atheist, this is intelligently written for anyone willing to give it a chance. And, in these times, kind of acts as a pillow for your life, one you may not think you needed.
This is Smooth Gravy that'll go down quite good.
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