When Angels Are Passing

When I was nine years old, British troops were deployed to Northern Ireland after violence had erupted in the streets and the local police were no longer able to cope. Johnny, a young man from our neighborhood, was one of those soldiers called up. He was about 20 years old and lived just down the road from us.

Sadly, after just two months in active service, Johnny suffered a fatal bullet wound. His passing shocked our community and understandably devastated his family. My mother and I visited his mom at the time to convey our condolences. I remember her telling my  mother that at the very moment of Johnny’s passing, everything in their family home went deathly silent because, as he put it, “the angels were passing.”

Her profound words left a lasting impression on me. At first, I wondered if this meant that angels sometimes also carry bad omens or bring us tidings of misfortune? But my mom soon put my mind at ease and explained that it meant quite the opposite. Angels show up to comfort and carry us through difficult times, such as at funerals and untimely passings. They bring us a sense of peace and support when it is most needed.  With sudden passings, the angels make their presence known, like they did with Johnny’s family, at the moment of the person’s passing.

Almost 50 years later, my dear mother was a nursing home and not in the best of health. I was very worried about her. One morning, I drove into town to take my mind off things. I soon noticed the car park and the streets were exceptionally quiet and empty for this the time of the day, and month. I remember briefly thinking to myself it’s as if ‘the angels are passing.’ Later, when I arrived home, my husband informed me that my mother had passed.

Angels descending, bring from above, echoes of mercy, whispers of love ~ Fanny J. Crosby

Although I was not with her when she passed, I was comforted knowing that no one leaves this world alone. In fact, people transitioning from the physical to the spiritual realm often hear and see angels and loved ones accompanying them from one world to the next. This is known as deathbed phenomena, or deathbed visions.

The phenomenon is also reported in near-death experiences. Researcher Craig R. Lundahl explains in his 1992 study Angels in near-death experiences that there are references to angels in several studies of these experiences. In his review of the available evidence, he concludes that “angels are personages with whom the NDE’r does not usually recall having previous acquaintance. Angels, serve as guides, messengers, or escorts in the NDE.”

Sometimes, a soul clings to a lifetime to remain connected to the earth plane. Even so, the angels will stay with them until the time is right for them to enter the Light, after saying their final goodbyes to this world. Family members often also report feeling profound peace in a deceased loved one’s room during and after angelic visits.

The angels have all manner of divine duties to fulfill as our guides and guardians. Some, for example, support us in our career or business ventures, our relationships, our parenting, and so on, while others are prevalent during the most challenging times in our lives, such as major trauma, natural disasters, accidents and illness, bereavement, loss and grief.

Therefore, I also know the angels will be with me when I attend my late brother’s funeral soon. With my brother’s recent passing, I became the only remaining relative, as I no longer have parents or siblings in this life. Some people were quick to point out after his passing that I was now “all alone in the world,” without any support system. Well, I beg to differ. In my mind nothing could be further from the truth!

I could not have made it this far had there not been angels along the way ~ Della Reese

I explained to those people that we are never alone. In fact, I know from both personal and professional experience that we all have at least one guardian angel and many angels, spirit guides and loved ones in spirit for walk by our side our entire lifetime. They support, protect and guide us in our life journey and unconditionally love and comfort us when we need it most, particularly during the grieving process.

Apart from a hushed, peaceful silence, there are many other ways of recognizing that the angels are with us. For example, some people may feel a sudden cool breeze or a drop in the room temperature as the angels pass.  Others may feel a warm, loving, peaceful presence, or tingling on the crown of the head, or ringing in one’s ears. Angels also love to visit us in our dreams. Occasionally, angels show up as animals and birds, such as robins. You may have heard the saying, “robins appear when loved ones are near.”

No matter how the angels choose to communicate with you or make their presence known, it is always a sign that you are never alone, neither in this life, nor in your transition to the next. How comforting is that!