PREFACE
I�m a champion procrastinator. It�s not a trait that I�m
proud of, and I don�t believe confessing it earns me any
brownie points here or in heaven.
The truth is, I made a promise more than a dozen years
ago with my mother to write this book. I made the same
promise to my wife and other family members. My mother
has since passed away. I thank God that I completed it while
so many of the others are still with me in this life.
From the outset, I�ve been keenly aware of the
ramifications that this story might have upon real people. I
felt it could be a sincere source of knowledge and
intelligence (because these two aren�t really the same thing).
Most of all, I wanted it to be a source of great comfort. I�ve
known all along that it could change thousands, hundreds
of thousands�perhaps even millions�of lives. I�ve also
faced the reality that because of my procrastination, many
lives that could have received this comfort, will not. This is
something I just have to live with.
Thankfully, I believe in a forgiving God. He knew all my
weaknesses and distractions even before I made my
promises. So despite the guilt I feel for not acting sooner, I
also trust His love and grace.
The ramifications of these events have always intimidated
me more than the events themselves. I�m not a banner waving,
fist-pounding, �activist�-type person. Yes, I�ve
always held strong opinions about family and religion, but
I never wanted to �mix it up� with those who held different
beliefs. I suppose with this book I may have to change some
of that, but I won�t like it. No matter how you cut it, this is
an extraordinary story. A true story. My objective was to
recount real events exactly as they happened, exactly as
reported to me by eyewitnesses, and exactly as I witnessed
them myself. For now, I hope readers will forget about the
controversial stuff and just focus on the events themselves.
This book is about a miracle. Actually, several miracles.
Most would refer to the central miracle�the one described
by my mother�as a �near-death experience.� We
commonly use that term to describe dying�or almost
dying�and being �brought back� to continue life on earth.
I prefer the term �a visit to heaven.� Honestly, I don�t know
if this realm is heaven or if it�s just a way station of that
ultimate destination. In either case, the term will suffice.
Some might say, �Ah, there�s a gazillion near-death
experience books. What makes this one different?� The
answer is in the emphasis�just as it was with my mother.
Also, I�ve included a very personal and difficult trial my own
family endured to round-out the most significant themes.
I know that many embrace near-death accounts as a
reassurance that heaven exists. I suppose this might provide
the same sense of security. But if that were my only goal, I
don�t think I�d have felt driven to complete this project. You
see, I already believe in heaven. I don�t need a near-death
experience to reassure me. I wanted to offer a sense of
comfort far more penetrating and universal, based upon the
eternal nature of the family unit itself.
Admittedly, the story provokes many questions. I�m no
less anxious than anyone else to receive the answers. More
than anyone, these events belong to my mother. They were
God�s gift to her. She was the recipient and primary
benefactor. But she also desperately wanted her story told�
she just wasn�t physically capable of doing it. That�s why I
na�vely promised to do it for her.
So this is for you, Mom. Sorry it took so long. It�s my
very first book, and might also be my last. Now that it�s
done, I tearfully confess that she has been with me through
much of the process. Without her nudging and prodding,
even from the �other side,� I�d probably still be
procrastinating.
I hope the story I tell will inspire, comfort, and give hope
to many lives, just as she envisioned. I suspect the message
will be of particular comfort to mothers�women who have
suffered indescribable, heart-wrenching loss�and then, in
silence, asked the questions: �Will I ever . . .? Can I ever . .
.? Would God allow . . .? Does He understand . . .?�
After reading Extraordinary Comfort, I sincerely believe
the answer becomes a glorious and resounding YES!
David C. Asay
Nov. 2013