Written by Michelle Robinson
Bach. Counselling. Dip. Clinical Hypnotherapy

I gathered the inspiration for our column this month from the person I found sitting next to me on the Tilt Train. Early in my journey from Brisbane to Hervey Bay, a lady in her elder years edged her way unsteadily towards the spare seat next to me and sat down gratefully.

Introducing herself as Kathy, she told me that she was going to visit a friend for a few days so she could have a break from her husband, who has been in a nursing home for ten years.

I responded empathetically, as you would expect, by saying, “I’m sorry to hear that. It must be tough for you.”

“No,” Kathy responded firmly. “He was always a bully. He’s better there than at home with me. Anyway, I get lots of visitors from the other side. My Mum and Dad often pop in to have a chat.”
That was the moment I realised there was a lot more to this lady than meets the eye.

“You’re a medium!” I exclaimed. “So am I. Tell me all about it.”

Four hours later, we were still talking about our spiritual experiences, beliefs and anecdotes.

Kathy revealed that she had been seeing spirit people all her life. While they frightened her as a little girl, and she hid under the sheets wanting them to disappear, her mother reassured her they wouldn’t hurt her. She also saw Spirits, as do Kathy’s children today. Mediumship runs in the family.

Gradually, Kathy began to recognise the Spirits who came to her. She also knew through a ‘feeling’ when someone was going to die. This was the case with an uncle who she saw in her mind, laid out in a coffin. Very shortly afterwards this apparently healthy man died unexpectedly. The same intuition occurred with her grandmother, who afterwards visited her regularly in her spirit form.

“Death’s nothing to be worried about,” asserted Kathy. “Every Spirit I communicate with is happier in the afterlife than before they left. I told my sick Mum it was time for her to go and that she’d immediately be free of pain. That’s when she took her last breath. I was so pleased for her I sang my way out of the hospital. Not everyone approved of that though.”

I nodded sadly when I heard that. I could well imagine the judgement Kathy would have received as a daughter who was not mourning her mother’s death.

Despite being quite frail, Kathy has a determination that glows from the inside out. She sees the Light within every person and regularly visits the other residents in her husband’s nursing home, offering them hugs and healing. She says when she hugs someone, with their permission, she can feel a warmth wrapping around them. It seems to give them more energy and vitality.

“I didn’t know I could do that for a lot of years”, she said modestly, “But now I know the power of a loving touch or hug. It just comes through me and into the person who needs it.”

I loved chatting with this remarkable lady, and we certainly shared a hug when it was time for her to leave the train. She showed me that we can make a positive difference, at any age, and the gift is in the giving.

I hope you enjoyed this column.