Welcome Jennings. Your story has truly touched my heart. I am a newbie here too and I feel very comfortable sharing my experiences here at Bruce's site. These guys here at the forum are amazing and loving towards people like me that just start to understand the other side of the story. I am looking forward to read more of your stories. When I read your first post I felt you were reading to me in person. I felt Goosebumps. Thank you so much and I hope I can learn from you too.  Love and gratitude...
Marcela

HaHa! swelled head eh Jennings?   don't worry, somebody will come along poke a hole in your balloon and all the air hisses out however I think sometimes...you know...we seem to have something good going on this board...we should all treasure it if we can just ride with the changes in this century without getting on each other's nerves too much...speaking of the relating to the whole world, not just this board, this board is not the whole world but one of many forums that help to tip the scales to my way of thinking, towards world peace.
I know...sounds real lofty, even to me and I'm not even a political person.

but I have visions you know. give me a break. (talking to meself) I get swelled up here too, in the heart area. you are all fabulous darlings, simply fabulous.

so lay a tune on me. I'm listening and I talk too much anyway. love, alysia

Yes, it is authentic and I do recognise its potential to raise doubts and questions, so if nothing else, it should prove to be a talking point. I understand how you feel about your wife and son but aging often brings in its wake a change to values and philosophy and where love is practiced and acknowledged throughout the life of the relationship then other aspects common to both may be more apropos. Our love for each other was never in question; indeed, it was our daily mantra. I am unable to say whether this experience is unique but I would doubt it yet I have never heard of its occurrence previously and I wonder why. In saying what was said, it seems that she was confirming (I think for the benefit of myself as she had a slight variation to the theory) that I was on the right track, not only in my acceptance of this other spiritual existence but that it was without religious content as is normally believed and that there was this higher authority or plain which was a question that had remained, until then, unanswered in our lives. Anyone who chooses to accept what I have said is not misled. Anyone who has not experienced it can hardly be in the position to refute it but typically some will probably adopt the intellectual high-ground and try to marginalise its impact or dispute its authenticity. My late wife's comment was a well-crafted statement with implication designed solely for my benefit and in view of our profound appreciation, love, and care for each other, it probably was the best parting-gift that she could provide. I recognise too that others might be saying, why has this not happened to me when they lost their loved one but I do not know the answer. Maybe it is simply one of receptivity; who knows?