My grandmother was my first valuable teacher with regards metaphysical beliefs and all things spiritual. She taught me, for example, to read the Bible literally and not bend the truths in the scripture, like some religious groups tend to do.

My family, including my grandmother, is German and I grew up and lived there until 1995. During the war, my grandmother lived in the Eastern part of Germany, which was later occupied by the Russians. Much later, after the war had ended and just before the wall between the two parts was closed for good, she fled over the border to West Germany.

On the other side of the border she took care of herself as best she could, like the rest of the battered and displaced population, while patiently waiting for the return of her husband and young son. They were both soldiers, as most of the men were in those days. Mother always told me that my granny must have been very brave and patient, because she had had no news from either one of them for years. Yet, she never wavered in her faith that they would indeed return.

The angel answered, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news ~ Luke 1:19

She had experienced the First World War as a young woman, as well as the Great Depression and the rise of the Third Reich in Germany, along with all its dangers and challenges. But she was also was different from her other family members in particular way, because since early childhood she had knowledge of events long before they would happen.

My grandmother knew long in advance of the approaching dark chapter in the history of her country, Germany. She knew the two wars were coming and also how they would end. But, of course, she could not talk freely about it to anyone, not even her own family. If she herself did not want to end up in a closed institution or concentration camp, as so many others did with similar psychic and visionary gifts, her premonitions had to remain a secret.

One day I asked her if she believed in angels and if so, what she thought they might look like. She then began to tell me a story which I remember listening to in complete awe! It still touches me to this day, every time I think about it.

She told me that it all happened during the Second World War. It was during the time when the end of the war was drawing near and everyone was worried about their loved ones on the front. She prayed every night for a sign from heaven and one night she suddenly woke up to a bright light on her bedroom wall, with an angel standing next to it. It was the Archangel Gabriel himself.

Who is an enemy to Gabriel! For he brings down the revelation to thy heart by God’s will, a confirmation of what went before, and guidance and glad tidings for those who believe ~ Al Baqarah 2:97

“He was all light”, she said, “so tall with huge wings”. He filled the entire room, and with the most loving voice he told her who he was and that he had come to answer her prayers and ease her pain. He pointed at the map on the wall and showed her where her husband was, and that he was well. He also showed her where her son was and that he was doing fine too.

Grandmother said she felt overjoyed and so immensely grateful. The next day she did not go to the nearby church, where all the fallen and missing-in-action soldiers were listed every day, because she knew in her heart and without a doubt she would not find them on any list.

From then on the angel appeared to her every night, until she got word of their imprisonment as prisoners of war, and later news of their pending release.

My grandmother used to write her visions and predictions in a diary. Unfortunately, it got lost in the turmoil of the harsh years after the war. I don’t know how many times I wished I could read that journal, after I finally embraced the truth that I had inherited her gifts of clairvoyance and empathy.

Still, my grandmother continued to teach me even after she passed away in her very German, straightforward and to-the-point way. It eventually led me to step away from my own fears and on the path to using my gifts to help others.