When I was in Elementary School I’ll never forget the first big book report that was assigned to us. I think it was around 4th grade, so this was one of the first steps in showing how our reading skills have developed. The teacher told the classroom that she was going to take us to the school library and then we would have to choose one book, any book we wanted for the report. I remember being in that library, the tall shelves filled almost to the ceiling and the calmness of being in such a quiet place. I walked the aisles, feeling a little bit of pressure due to my uncertainty of this important choice. In a room filled with thousands of books, I was led to one and that book was “Portrait in Motion” The Arthur Ashe Diary. Looking back at that moment in my life, now that I’m a grown adult I can reflect on how and why that particular book unknowingly called me.

I love hearing a persons journey, especially a journey of one who rises through hardships and the roller coaster ride we experience here on Earth. I can’t get enough of it, it’s the fuel to my engine. Reading books of fantasy or fiction is a waste of time for me and I knew it at that age. I’m a bit of a soul philosopher, after this current incarnation I have a gut feeling I’ll be a soul counselor on the other side. I can feel it in my core. As I grew up I continued to read nothing but biographies. I want to hear peoples’ story from beginning to end. From where they were born to how they passed and everything in between through the failures and to the accomplishments.

Now that I’m in adulthood and far removed from book reports, I need something new that will awaken my soul. So now I read obituaries and I listen to NDE’s (near death experiences). I love reading the obituary section of the newspaper. Why you may ask? It highlight’s someone’s complete life in a positive light. So when I read an obituary, I get a sense of radiating love, positivity, accomplishments, hobbies and interests they had, how long they were married, how many children, where they went to college and what they did for a career. It’s a super condensed format to showcase a person’s whole life in the same way that a Life Review is composed. As I read an Obituary the imagery of this person’s life flows through me like reading a biography would or how a life review is projected out like a movie. These similarities is what gets me! That brings out the soul counselor deep in my emotional roots. If there’s a photo of the person who passed to go along with the write up and the person in the photo is smiling, a wave of love fills my body.

Here’s an excerpt from an obituary I recently read to give you an example:

Darlene 1955-2025

“In her community, Darlene was a cherished presence, dedicating her time and energy to enriching the lives of seniors. Her incredible sense of humor and caring nature brought light and laughter to those around her. Loyal and ever-curious, she was a friend who listened deeply and a companion who inspired others to see the world with fresh eyes. A lover of animals, she befriended all animals from wild seagulls to stray cats. She nursed many animals back to health and loved all the animals she adopted with her whole heart.”

When you read something like this and consume it, your heart really opens up even if it’s for a complete stranger. There’s deep senses inherently inside us, about the other side, reincarnation, angels, spirits and life beyond our time here on Earth and I feel like reading about a person’s life sparks all those loving yet spiritual emotions. That was the magnetic pull when I was 8 years old standing in that school library leading me to read about Arthur Ashe’s life for my first book report.