STRANDED-continued-2

As I listened to these survivor descriptions, a feeling of calm and peace came over me and then relief in thinking of Andrew’s death as a peaceful, joyous transition to another existence.

I am hopeful that this is what he experienced and may continue to experience. It also made me wonder if part of every life is going back toward our beginnings, whether consciously or unconsciously, to the time before we inhabit our physical selves.

         Just listening to these survivors tell their stories of death and near death triggered a very positive feeling of the possibilities of death and afterdeath. In the end, 16 men were rescued after two of them walked over the Andes  mountains, with no gear or warm clothing and very little to eat.

         After walking for several days in unknown terrain, they found a shepherd who was able to get word to the rescue teams that would save them and the rest of the passengers.