Chills were running down my spine and, stunned, I said, “Layla came to you?”

“Yes, Jim, and I just held her and she said ‘Don’t cry, Mama. It’s me, Layla, don’t cry.’ We held each other for a few minutes and then I stood up and Layla took my hand and led me along the path into this beautiful grove of trees that was surrounding a perfectly round, clear, still pond. And it was surrounded by these ancient trees and soft green grass that grew right to the edge of the pond.”

“Amazing,” I said.

“Then she got down on her hands and knees and gestured me to do the same, and when we were both gazing into the water, it looked like a mirror. We could see each other’s faces perfectly. She was so beautiful. Then she smiled and reached out her right hand and with her first two fingers she touched our reflection. And then, Jim, I can’t really even describe what happened.”

“What do you mean?” I asked. “What happened?”