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Excerpt from Martha Copeland’s I’m Still Here

Article initially printed in the Spring 2005 AA-EVP NewsJournal
Martha Copeland – All Rights Reserved

Continuation of Signs from Cathy

Yesterday at my Buford Presbyterian Church, in Buford, Georgia, I met a couple whose son had been killed two weeks earlier in an automobile accident. They told me that he was already sending them “signs” from beyond to comfort them.

It is so important to pay attention to “signs” that our loved ones send to us from spirit. Just today, while searching through photo albums for pictures to insert in this book, I found a “sign” from Cathy. It was an album she had made for my fiftieth birthday party entitled, “The Way it was.” It contained all the important facts and events from the 1950s, along with photos of me when I was a baby up to my present life. One thing that really struck me in this album was her dedication page. It read: “My dedication goes to my mom, Martha Pierce Copeland.”

Hope is the destination that we seek,
Love is the road that leads to hope
Courage is the motor that drives us
We travel out of darkness into faith

-The Book of Counted Sorrow

How very strange to be reading these words now. Although going through the old photo albums made me sad, perhaps this is Cathy’s “sign” for me to continue on and have faith in what the future holds.

“Tears in Heaven”

Today I was riding in the car, listening to the CD of music we had played at Cathy’s funeral. Each song was chosen for a specific story in her life, and each one usually brought tears to my eyes. When Eric Clapton came on singing, “Tears in Heaven,” I remembered the first time I heard it.

Cathy was about ten years old, and we were living in Okinawa Japan, on the military base. Two of the children she often played with were twins, a girl and a boy, Shane and Shannon. One day while Cathy was playing with them, Shane was hanging upside down by his knees from a tree limb, hitting at the girls as they rode by on their bicycles. Something caused him to lose his grip, and he fell to the ground. His head hit the curb. Cathy came running home and said, “Mom, I think Shane is dead.” He was taken to the hospital where he died shortly from his injuries.

The day of Shane’s memorial service, Cathy had picked up her room, making it spotlessly clean. This was unusual for our girl, whose bedroom floor was rarely seen. We went to the service and joined the grieving family and friends of this young boy. The song, “Tears in Heaven,” was too poignant and left everyone weeping as we said goodbye to Shane.

We had been home from the service a few hours when cars started pulling up in front of our house, and parents let out their children. At least thirty children had shown up, and Cathy was at the door greeting her friends. Even Shane’s twin sister Shannon was there. When I asked what was going on, she informed me, “Mom, I told them that you were going to have a séance and bring Shane back to talk to us.” I was stunned and told her that I was absolutely not going to do that.

Cathy glared at me, grabbed her Ouija board and stormed off to her room, closing the door behind her after the many kids piled inside. While my “little psychic” was in there, I glimpsed Shane in our living room. He was wearing a blue and white striped shirt with cut-off jeans.

Cathy: “My little psychic.”
Cathy:
“My little psychic.”

Cathy later reported that she and her friends had asked some questions of her board, and had gotten some “yes” answers, which helped them believe that they had contacted Shane. This must have helped the grieving process for these youngsters, who needed a chance to say goodbye to their little friend. I asked Cathy what Shane had been wearing at the time of his accident. She described his outfit just as I had seen in my living room.

“Would you know my name … if I saw you in heaven?” As I listen to these plaintive phrases sung by a man who was a grieving parent, I know the answer to the question he poses. I know without a doubt that we will recognize our loved ones when we get to the Other Side. Still, this thought does not stop the tears I have here and now.

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2 thoughts on “Excerpt from Martha Copeland’s I’m Still Here”

  1. Cathy’s 2018 Memorial – for the 17th time

    For 17 years we have been honoring Cathy by sharing personal life events and insights about her on my Facebook page on Cathy’s transition date, Dec. 23rd. It has been challenging to share different experiences year after year when we lack new memories to draw from. Unlike the rest of us, Catherine will always be 20 and never age.

    My two sisters’, Donna and Ginny, have had they own “After Death Experiences” from Cathy, which provided me validations that there is an existence beyond our current physical life. This message may make those who have not suffered a loss, or those with religious limitations, or just those who are just unbelievers, uncomfortable. If you are in any of these mindsets, I would recommend that you find other sources or material to read. For those that have had similar experiences or are willing to explore and have an “open mind,” I would invite you to continue reading my message and messages from others about the after life. By sharing my family’s experiences I hope to foster a clearer understanding that may bring you peace, hope, and faith during this holiday season (especially for those who a grieving a loss of a loved one).

    Happy Holiday’s, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza, Assalam Alaikum, Merry Christmas – or just Season’s Greetings. Above all else, try to keep the warm loving feeling that this holiday brings …year round. Martha Copeland

    I’m sharing my sister, Ginny’s story as well as a short video Cathy and her friend Jessica made for a school project while in middle school. Cathy wrote the script and had Jessica star in the project. The pets featured were all our family pets, now deceased. Cathy had a keen interest in drama and making movies – but she said that she wanted to be behind the scenes.

    Below are my sister, Ginny’s story and the short “Sumo Dogs” video.

    Enjoy and laugh.

    ================================================

    Aunt Ginny Sawyers Dec 23rd Memorial to Catherine Amiss

    Cathy “Cat” Amiss was killed in a tragic auto accident on a Sunday, Dec. 23rd, 17 years ago. She was 20 years old. She was my sister Martha’s only daughter. Two days following her death, the family gathered at Martha & Don’s house for the purpose of placing flowers at the crash site. I opted to remain behind and keep Cat’s(Cathy’s nickname) dogs company. It was barely 5 minutes after their departure to the site, that I heard the front door open and felt the vibration when it slammed shut. I couldn’t believe the family had already returned. I also couldn’t believe that no one was there. Did I imagine it? Cat’s dogs stood at attention, wagged their tails, and tracked with their eyes so I rule out imagination. I believe that bond between our loved ones is not easily severed in death. They are always with us in spirit. “Cat” manifested her presence so many times after her death. “Cat” loved all animals.
    Please don’t forget to donate to your local animal shelter or rescue group in her name.

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