Forever Family Foundation “Night of Mediums” Fundraiser

This past weekend I had the great fortune to take part in the Forever Family Foundation’s annual fundraiser to support their continued investigation into the proof of afterlife and create a safe place for families who have interest in that connection to learn and explore. And to provide them with Mediums that are certified to be neither fraudulent or fakes. Not only was it a privilege to provide messages to the people at my table, but I also got to spend time with the other mediums who also donated their time to the foundation. So I just want to give a shout out to all of them – Top row from left: Traci Bray, Laura Lynn Jackson, Lee Ashley, Rebecca Locicero, me, Amy Utsman. Bottom row from left: Ginger Quinlan, Kim Russo, Sirry Berndsen, Bobbi Allison. I also got to spend time with the founders, Phran and Bob Ginsberg, who with a whole lot of volunteers, make this all happen, year after year with so much grace and dedication. Kudos to all of you!!

I appreciate the efforts of FFF so much because Mediumship is such a misunderstood endeavor. So many of us have had a brush with the unseen worlds and them rushed on by, not quite wanting to take it in. Fear and trepidation keep us on the outs. I know, because before my gifts opened up to me, I had the same fears. I grew up Catholic, which adds another layer of trepidation onto the mix. It took me a long time to expand my religious world view and allow myself to embrace my gifts. To stop being afraid and experience the pure joy of connection. Still we have questions. How does religious belief intersect with a headlong dash into the esoteric? How does the existence of our loved ones after their death affect one’s world view? How does it affect our healing process?

Listen, Mediumship is a little swishy. I’ll grant you that. I mean, it’s the esoteric. It’s undefinable. Although research is coming closer to proving the validity of what we do, what it all comes down to, for me, is how my clients feel during and after a session. For many of them it is therapeutic. It answers questions. It’s a place to talk about grief. To be authentic. For others it gives a boost, lets them move on to another stage of the grief process and live their life. I find that is what the spirits want, for us to live our lives to our fullest and not look back. To understand that the lineage of our ancestors is healed and helped by every positive action we take. That it really matters to them that we are successful, that we take notice of them and that we honor them and their connection to us. That it is natural to talk to them, to include them in ceremony and religious tradition, and to have a place for them in our homes. That difficult relationships can be resolved after death, because death knows no boundaries, except of having a body.

Mediums have to deal with a lot of mindsets. We are told we are anti-religion, that we are bad people (evil), we are discriminated against, some people fear us. I guess I can relate, because I was afraid too. TV and horror flicks certainly had the corner of my imagination. I thought if I opened to my gifts I would be taken over, confront the ultimate bad-ass devil. Didn’t happen. At all. I mean I have come up against darkness, in myself, as well as that of others. But that was there anyway. Even investigating haunted houses, I am more interested and expanded by my experiences than afraid. But then I don’t have an arrogant attitude or mess with negativity, the way we wouldn’t walk up to a bank robber and want to engage with them either. You just don’t mess with BAD. Unless you are crazy! But that is not what happens when I am working with a client who wants to connect to their loved ones. It is just joy. And even when someone comes to me with reports of seeing things, activity in their house and incidents with spirit, it is almost always having to do with their own awakening to their gifts of mediumship or psychic ability. If you are pushing it away, they tend to put it right in your face. So you can’t avoid it.

We are told that raising spirits is the devils work. I like that one. We don’t raise spirits, they come a calling! We just facilitate the exchange between your deceased loved ones and their living relatives. Or it’s your guides and helpers that want to give you guidance. But I wouldn’t be fool enough to raise the spirit of someone that didn’t want to be there. That doesn’t work out well. It’s like telemarketers on your cell phone.

I would call myself a witness, not even an interpreter. That is for the client to do. Because I have over and over again given messages that were verifiable, I believe what I see. And trust it. It is all about joy, and the ease of grief, worry and for some of us…guilt. It’s about comfort and compassion and leaves most people feeling better about themselves and their relationship with the person they miss. And I am so lucky to be a part of that process. It’s an honor. for I end up learning with every session I do. It makes me a better person. And isn’t that what religion is supposed to do? Make us better? Connect us to God, or nature, or Jesus? Doesn’t it urge us to listen to our hearts? It’s really the same thing. Especially after you experience it. It certainly does not get in the way of religion. I think mysticism expands it. And gives you a place to start to trust. In fact I think it is the only thing one can trust, the connection to the God inside.

Intuition is the thing we all need to develop and follow to stay safe. So right now, tune into what you are feeling, about this moment, about your day, about tomorrow. Lay aside your emotions, concerns and judgements and let yourself be open. Let the guidance float in. Keep asking and asking and soon enough it will just bellow at you. And whisper, and drift into your awareness. You will learn it’s lexicon. The language of spirit is yours alone to build. And enjoy!