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| Dear Friends,
The official start of summer is almost here. Beyond the sales, the vacations and the barbecues, Memorial Day is an opportunity for us to remember the heroes we know, as well as those we've never met.
My uncles and aunts served in World War II and my father in Korea. My cousin, John, is a colonel in the Marines and has served in Afghanistan and Iraq. In my work, I've spoken to more military personnel living in the spirit world than I can begin to count.
At last weekend's spirit circle, a woman's father in spirit appeared in his dress uniform. He had been career military and counseled her stepson (also in attendance) on strategies for finding direction in his life. This father and others like him are the heroes in spirit are who are traditionally honored on Memorial Day.
Every Memorial Day, though, I choose to also rememberall my heroes, those who have shaped and yes, even saved, my life. When I was 18, I was in a severe car accident. Without the EMTs dispatched to the scene, I probably wouldn't be here writing to you now. Although I never met them, I thank them every Memorial Day. In this month's article, Remembering Heroes, I share some experiences with heroes in spirit, both in and out of uniform.
Looking beyond Memorial Day and into June and July, I'll be heading out to visit Claremont, CA (June 10th), Redlands, CA (June 11-14) and then returning to Los Angeles for a Small Spirit Circle and an event at The Bodhi Tree on June 26th.
After that I travel to Bishop/Mammoth (July 9 - 14th), return to Awakenings in Laguna Hills for An Evening of Spirit Communication on July 23rd and then to Anaheim for a Small Spirit Circle on July 31st. Who said that summer is the time for vacations? Not me! More information on June's events is included in this newsletter and all events are listed on the website at www.HollisterRand.com.
As we move in the "lazy" days of summer, please know that those you love in spirit continue to share in your life and your heroes are always in your midst.
Hollister Rand |
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Remembering Heroes | |
"A hero is someone who has given his life to something bigger than himself." I remember this statement by Joseph Campbell every year as Memorial Day nears.
On the last Sunday in May, there is a service honoring all war heroes at a memorial park in my neighborhood. When I first attended years ago, the veterans were quite elderly, yet they stood straight and tall as they walked behind the honor guard. In recent years, the veterans have become younger. They join the diminishing number of their elders to honor comrades who didn't come home. As the bagpipes play "Amazing Grace," politics is set aside and heroes are remembered.
During ceremonies like these, I sometimes catch glimpses of military men in spirit with their family members or standing at ease near soldiers who have survived combat. Even in private sessions a soldier in spirit will appear in his uniform, especially if his or her life and death were defined by military service.
Several years ago when I was being driven to an undisclosed location for a TV show taping, I noticed military men from all branches of service standing at attention along the residential street and driveway of a house. What I didn't know before entering the house was that I was about to meet a family whose son had died while serving in Afghanistan. The son, a young Marine in spirit, said something that has always stayed with me. "I died while trying to save my friends. I would do it again." His parents confirmed that their precious son had saved the lives of his platoon by sacrificing his own. They told me that he always fought to protect the people he loved whether at home with his family, on the football field in high school or on a faraway battlefield.
Sacrifices made in love are sometimes not even considered sacrifices by the people who make them. The spirits remind me of that. When a mother in spirit visited during a session with her daughter, she showed me a movie in my mind of her daughter (at a much younger age) being thrown into a van. She then said, "It didn't matter to me how much it cost to find you or how hard it would be. I would do it again." The daughter, after wiping away her tears, confirmed that her mother had searched for her tirelessly after she was kidnapped by another family member and hidden away in a foreign country.
A boy who had died when he was twelve, thanked his mother for taking care of him all of his life. He showed me an empty wheelchair and told me that he could walk in heaven. "My Mom's my hero," he told me. His mother confirmed that her son had been severely disabled and spent his life wheelchair bound. He required 24 hour care and she had been his primary caretaker. "I'd do it again," she told me . . . and by telling me, she was also telling her son.
In speaking with a young woman in spirit, she made it clear that when she died on September 11th, 2001 she was running toward the World Trade Center to help others make it to safety. Her parents had heard of their daughter's sacrifice from witnesses who had been there that day. They also knew that helping others was as natural to their daughter as breathing. Many heroes don't wear uniforms.
Heroes often die as they lived, by putting the welfare and needs of others above their own. A hero's selflessness is an immediate response, not a calculated risk. Heroes die so that others may live. I am grateful that as a medium, I can share the news that the death of a hero isn't the end of the story. Even after making what is considered the greatest sacrifice, heroes continue living. Their concern for us, their supporting strength and their love surround us every day. The heroes we've loved and lost continue being our heroes. Death doesn't change that.
So this Memorial Day, may all our heroes, in uniform and out of uniform, be honored by our gratitude for their sacrifices and surrounded by our love.
For those who are part of Hollister's community on Facebook, please post your thoughts about the heroes in your lives on her fan page.
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About Hollister
 Hollister Rand
is an internationally renowned medium. Known for her
extraordinarily detailed work, she provides specific messages from
loved ones living in the spirit world with feeling, heart, and grace.
Hollister is a clairvoyant, clairaudient and clairsentient (meaning
that she can see, hear and feel the presence of spirits as well as get
a sense of their personalities, emotions, physical attributes and
illnesses), and her unique gifts have provided comfort and closure for
people all over the world. With her personal charm, sense of humor, and
sense of compassion, her messages of love, hope, and healing on KOST
FM's, "Angels in Waiting" and KBIG FM's, "Radio Medium" have touched
the lives of thousands of people. Her CD Many Doors - An Introduction
to Mediumship takes listeners on a journey through the doors that
separate life, death, and life after life. A prolific writer, Hollister
recently signed a book deal with a major publisher and shares her
teachings through articles and newsletter. Consulted as an authority on
the subject of life after death, Hollister presents seminars with
leading researchers in afterlife science. In addition, she has teamed
up with internationally acclaimed medium, John Edward, for
InfiniteQuest, a "one-stop" portal of internet
resources for the soul.
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Claremont:
A Spirit Touch Circle
Experience spirit communication in an up close and personal way. Hear what loved ones have to say about your life in a friendly and comfortable setting. Sit with Hollister as she feels, sees, hears and connects to those who want to say hello to you. Thursday, June 10, 2010 7 - 9pm -- doors open at 6:30pm Kindred Spirits 813 Foothill Boulevard Claremont, CA 91711 Price: $75 For more information on the event and/or to purchase tickets please visit Brown Paper Tickets  or call the 24/7 Ticket Hotline: 1-800-838-3006 |
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Redlands:
An Afternoon of Spirit Communication
During the evening, a number of audience members will receive messages from loved ones living in the spirit world. There will be time to ask general questions about mediumship and what life is like on the other side. Saturday, June 13th, 2010 2:30-4:30 PM -doors open at 2pm Country Inn & Suites 1650 Industrial Park Avenue Redlands, CA 92374 General: $40 2 tickets for: $60 VIP Seating: $50 For more information on the event and/or to purchase tickets please visit Brown Paper Tickets or call the 24/7 Ticket Hotline: 1-800-838-3006 |
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Los Angeles:
A Small Spirit Circle
This is an intimate event limited to 10 people. Everyone in attendance receives a message. Saturday, June 19th, 2010 7:30-9:30 PM Sherman Oaks, CA $95 per person For more information on the event and/or to purchase tickets please visit Brown Paper Tickets or call the 24/7 Ticket Hotline: 1-800-838-3006 |
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Los Angeles:
An Evening of Spirit Communication
During the evening, a number of audience members will receive messages from loved ones living in the spirit world. There will be time to ask general questions about mediumship and what life is like on the other side. Saturday, June 26th, 2010 7:30-9:30 PM -doors open at 7pm The Bodhi Tree Bookstore Annex 8585 Melrose Avenue West Hollywood, CA 90069 General: $40 2 tickets for: $60 VIP Seating: $50 For more information on the event and/or to purchase tickets please visit Brown Paper Tickets or call the 24/7 Ticket Hotline: 1-800-838-3006 |
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