The Reincarnation of Jenny Cockell The True Story of a Woman who has lived before!
Jenny Cockell
Jenny Cockell was just an ordinary Northamptonshire housewife. She was also a mother of two children, But there was nothing ordinary about her. Over the next few years, she not only believed that she had lived before, as an Irish woman called Mary Sutton who was born in 1897, but she 'found' her children still living in Ireland.
Her story starts just before her fourth birthday. She began to remember her past life in small snatches and pictures, and for a long time she never mentioned it to anybody because she believed that everybody had the same feelings and experiences. The most vivid of the memories was a very disturbing one. She dreamt of her own death. Or should I say Mary's death. She was also aware that Mary had been 35 years old and had just given birth to her eighth child. She could 'see' the hospital where it was happening, and she felt very strong feelings of guild and sorrow that she was leaving her children.
The feelings never left her, and, after experiencing these memories for some time, she suddenly decided to draw a map where she believed these strange things had happened. She just knew that it was in Ireland, she was quoted as saying, ' I just felt so sad that I had left them, I realised then that I had to go back, so I got out a map, and I instinctively kept pointing to Ireland. After a while I was drawn to a place called Malahide. I just knew this was my home town'.
But life got in the way, and she was still only a child. It was a few years later when Jenny got married and had her own children, that the feelings and memories surfaced again. Only this time they were stronger.So she started to think about tracking down Mary's family in Ireland.
Mary Sutton and child
Rotundra Hospital Where Mary died
Beginning to Believe
Jenny stated that if she were to trace the family, she wanted to make sure she did it right. No mistakes and not the smallest doubt. It had to be the right house, the right family, and even more importantly, get the names dates and children's names correct. So she consulted a hypnotist who dealt with regression therapy. The funny thing was, that Jenny was very much a sceptic, she didn't really believe iin anything like reincarnation or any other type of psychic phenomena. That I think, Is what makes this story so incredible. She felt uncomfortable with the whole story, and was afraid she was going to make a fool of herself. So after undergoing regression, and realising that this was not going to go away, she decided to make the trip to Ireland.
Still consulting her maps that she had drawn, she took out a map of Ireland and studied in detail a real map of Malahide. To her surprise, she realised that it was very similar to the one she had drawn from memory. This gave her the final push to undertake the journey back in time, to see if she could understand, and find, the home and family that she had 'left' many years before.
She arrived in Malahide, which is north of Dublin, and decided the best course of action would be to check out any records she could find in the church records.
The records showed that there had been a Mary Sutton who had lived and died in Malahide, and her eight children had been left to various relatives, and some had been placed in orphanages. She decided that if she was going to do this properly she would get in touch with the local newspapers, and also write letters to all the churches, to find out as much as she could. By this time, any sort of embarrassment or doubt was quickly beginning to disappear. She knew in a way that nobody else could understand, that this was real.
With the help of letters to foster homes and the historical societies, she realised that if this didn't work, nothing would.
Much to her surprise and relief, she located the surviving children. Before she met the children, she subjected herself to questioning by a BBC researcher to make sure that the dreams and memories that she had been having, would match up to the facts by the surviving members of the Irish family.
Jenny told the researcher facts about the family home, the kind of sewing thread that Mary had used, even small things like when the children had caught a live hare in a trap.
Eventually after her interview, she came face to face with Sonny, Mary's son, for the first time.
Sonny Sutton and Jenny
Sutton Family
Reunited
In 1990, Sonny Sutton picked up the phone, and listened to the most amazing story he had ever heard, and when he at last put the phone down, his wife said, 'You look like you have seen a ghost', Sonny turned to her, and as white as a sheet said, 'I've been talking to my Mother'.
The rest of Mary's family were not so easily convinced. Who was this Jenny? What was her purpose in doing this to the family? They just could not believe such a thing. The family had been brought up as Catholics, and in complete bewilderment, Phyllis Clinton, Mary's daughter, consulted her priest, who told her that, after hearing the evidence, the only thing he could think of was that somehow, Mary was speaking through Jenny, as a way to get the family back together. Christy, 72, Frank, 70, Phyllis who was 71, Betty Keogh, 62, and their brother Jeffrey James, who died in 1992 aged 66, were very unsettled by all of this.
'She knew the pictures on the wall, what was in the house, how it was built, it is unbelievable' said Phyllis. 'I still find it hard to believe, even though I know she is telling the truth' she goes on to say,' mammy passed her soul over to this unborn person'.
There was a 21 year gap between the year Mary died and Jenny was born. And this is very unusual in the fact that the children could be found and the story corroborated.
Jenny is a member of Mensa and is a very down to earth person. She insisted that anything that she could not remember, should not be added to the story. It had to be only the things she could prove.
This is a very fascinating story in the fact that an average everyday woman, born into a normal household grew up with the knowledge that, to her, it was normal to remember past lives. And even more important isn't whether you believe her or not, the fact is that, after Mary's death, her children were separated and lost contact with each other for nearly 60 years. Jenny Cockell did a remarkable thing. She reunited a lost family, and on that day in a Dublin home belonging to Betty, they came together and shared tears and memories, vowing never to be apart again.
If there is anything that we can take from this story is that, whether we believe in reincarnation, or not. something extraordinary happened. So the next time you dream a dream, or have a memory that is strange to you, maybe you should listen to your thoughts, because there could be someone out there that is remembering you.
Filmed in 1993. Amazing!
© 2010 Nell Rose
Comments
- Author
Thanks Matt, and of course you are right. Psychology has to come into it. but sometimes people need to believe. And lets face it, maybe they are right? thanks for reading.
No skeptics here?
Lovely story, glad it all worked out and everyone is happy, but these events can be explained much better by a variety of natural events not supernatural (reincarnation).
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Thanks Hutchman, thanks so much for reading, yes its amazing isn't it?
Great article, Nell! I have always been fascinated by these type of reincarnation stories! When you have this much evidence: Names, dates, places....etc., it has to be real and I view it that way! I was raised Methodist, but in my 57 years of living, I have been exposed to and learned about so many of these stories, that are from all types of people....from various religions...that it seems to me to be a common theme! Isn't it exciting to know that this life is not the end....and that we may be able to come back if we choose to! I find it amazing and will continue to read and learn all I can about this life....and possibly what lies beyond! Thanks again, Nell!
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Good points Subhash, I tend to believe that there is more out there than we will ever know. Therefore it could be stored there. glad you liked it, nell
A fascinating story. It proves that memories don't die with us when we die. Even the researches done by Dr Ian Stevenson point to the fact that memories don't die along with us. When we die our soul carries all the memories with it and transplants all the memories in the brain of the new born baby in which enters. But it is not known how at all the soul is able to preserve the memories intact for so long. Hopefully memories are not stored on any physical medium. So a question arises whether it is possible to store information on something that does not have a physical existence. If we have to believe in this story -of course we have to believe- we have to also believe that it is possible l to store memories on a medium that does not have physical existence.
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Thanks so much Shyron, I would love to know about a past life too! lol!
Nell, I don't know how I missed this article. It is very fascinating, I don't believe nor disbelieve in reincarnation, but I think the idea is exciting and if I lived in a different time, I would like to know.
Blessings my friend
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Thanks for reading Alondra! :)
i did now that this is a real story of jenny cockel but yesterday i was read a story about her .
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Hi gjcody, Wow! that's amazing, and yes fate! thanks for reading, nell
I have to tell you this is a fascinating story ...and yes I do believe this is possible. I have had strange things come to me when I needed them and it is so interesting how people meet too. Almost as though it was suppose to be ...my daughter and her husband met on a plane ...her original flight was canceled and he missed his flight (he lost his day planner putting them on the same flight) ...and here we are four children later. Beautiful story Nell Rose ....keep on hubbing
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Hi Heather, thanks for reading. That's awesome! and yes I totally believe it! does she still say so today? nell
My daughter at 2 would point to the tv when wizard if oz was on or we would see pictures online and say thats me she would say she was judy garland so yes i do believe
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Hi viryabo, that's amazing! thanks for sharing your story! nell
Such a wonderful story. I enjoyed reading it, and I do believe that it is indeed true.
Where l come from, we mostly believe in reincarnation. In fact it is believed in my family that I am a reincarnation of my paternal grandmother.
Reason why my name, translated into English means . . . "My mother returns".
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Hiya Koffee, its amazing isn't it? if proof is needed it seems that this is it! reincarnation is real!
@Nell Rose this was a fascinating article. I was blown away by this story. I love that she was able to bring the children back together. Awesome.
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Thanks sunflower, thanks for reading, I was in fact chatting to Jenny Cockell yesterday! amazing how it all comes round, thanks
Love that you've highlighted these articles telling of this very common phenomenon. I will be reading these in the coming days. Thank you
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lol! john, now you said it.........!
Do you think Jenny Cockell looks like Nicola Sturgeon?
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Thanks ladyguitar, glad you liked it, and thanks for reading, nell
A really good story, and one that we are not suppose to know the answers. I had an uncle on his death bed that told us he hopes he does not come back again. He believed we need to get it right in the way we are living our life, so we do not come back. Great story.
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Thanks so much aesta, yes that is so true! glad you liked it, nell
Such a beautiful story. Whatever may the explanation be for this phenomenon, the outcome is worth it. A mother would do everything to keep her kids together.
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Thanks Cam, yes its amazing what children come out with, it really makes you wonder doesn't it? thanks so much, nell
Truly fascinating, Nell. It's hard to argue with a child's innocent memories that turn out to be correct. We all shall see at some point. Thanks for sharing this and making it so interesting.
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Thanks drbj, I am so glad you liked it, I am in the same group on facebook as Jenny so its come round full circle on reading her book and now chatting to her! lol!
What an incredible story, Nell, and what an exceptional job you did relating it to us in a very easy-to-understand fashion. A large Up plus on this one, m'dear.
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Hi robie, I have another surprise on this story! I chat to Jenny on facebook! lol! well I have left a few comments that she has read, but we both belong to the same reincarnation group so what a bonus! thanks so much for reading, nell
Don't know how I missed this one...... but I've been doing some reading recently on reincarnation and near death experiences with an emphasis on personal accounts and am finding the whole subject absolutely fascinating. Totally absorbed by your excellent hub and loved the video too. This all makes perfect sense to me... a lot more than fire and brimstone and St. Peter at the pearly gates. voted up and awesome. Thanks for a great read, as always Nell
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Thanks Delia it is fascinating isn't it? I love reading and researching these stories, nell
Absolutely fascinating a very interesting story! Great hub and well written....thanks for sharing! I watch a TV program that has reincarnation in children and adults.
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Hi Shades, yes its amazing isn't it? if not reincarnation something is definitely going on! In fact I am friends with her on facebook now! lol! amazing how what goes around comes around! thanks, nell
Loved reading this! I don't believe in reincarnation, but one has to admit that instances like this cannot be explained away. What a delightful end to the true story, and how excited Jenny must have been, when she found out that all of the strange things she "knew", were true!
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Hi Jodah, thanks so much, yes its really intriguing isn't it? I do believe her, not sure exactly what its about though, as you say maybe the spirit? nell
This is an another amazing hub Nell, whether it was reincarnation or just Mary's spirit trying to reunite her children it doesn't matter. very interesting. Voted up.
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Hi Besarien, you may be right there about the knowledge floating around, I often wonder if thats true too. there is definitely something we are missing about it all, thanks so much for reading, nell
We live steeped in mystery and see only a little that we call our reality. I don't believe in much besides Christianity but don't disbelieve necessarily. Maybe there is knowledge of past times and lives just floating about in the ethereal soup waiting for someone to come along whose brain is properly configured to receiving that information. Maybe one day we will learn to tap into it like the ultimate internet. I don't think there is reason to fear what we don't understand- then most of us would be afraid of everything. I love that Jenny was brave enough to investigate and see it through to a satisfactory conclusion for her and the family. I love your hubs!
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LOL! old? wish I was your age again! thanks for popping over Jo, nell
Okay i understand i am good with a few scattered showers "body pains" u know when one is getting old things like these sets in.
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Hiya Jo, sorry, its just that there are so many comments on here, it takes up the whole page, after reading and commenting back to the ones today, I am going to delete a whole load, hope your okay, and thanks for reading, nell
Nell i cannot see your reply keeps showing four years ago replies. I am going to practice violin now ;)
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Thanks so much everyone, I am so glad you liked it, she is one amazing woman isn't she? nell
Very interesting and of course, as always, very well written!
Amazing story Nell. I don't know if I believe in such things but this certainly sounded "sane"...lol.
A fascinating story, I love reading stories like these. Thanks for sharing.
This is a very interesting story. Maybe Mary had this "unfinished business" that's why she came back as Jenny to reunite her children. It shows that a mother's love stays forever even though she's no longer physically present. I love stories like this. Very inspiring. I've never heard this story before and this is something I can share with my friends too. :)
Interesting. Despite being a Buddhist myself, I admit to being a skeptic. And for heaven's sake! If reincarnation is true...I'd feel awful guilty about some of the memories I'm burdening the next poor devil with!
This is such an interesting topic, and you've done a wonderful job with your posts on reincarnation/memories of past lives. Thank you.
What an amazing story of which cannot be lightly dismissed! Too much evidence. Thanks.
What a brave woman. I can just imagine how daunting it must have been tracking down the grown children, just getting anyone to listen to her story much less believe. Fascinating!
Nell these re-incarnation stories are just getting freakier and freakier . Huh, where do you knock these up from lol. Interesting but for people who do not believe in re-incarnation its a bit weird lol . But there's got to be something going on there for these people to know these things. Better Jenny and Barbro than me yes. Don't wanna relive anyone's live.
Wow! That is amazing.
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Thanks David, great to see you here, and thanks again, nell
Once again, great, readable reporting. I'm becoming a big fan of your work.
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That's fascinating Kevin, its amazing how we remember certain things. Good luck with finding out more, and if you do please come back and let me know, I would be fascinated to hear the story, thanks!
Hi,I know without doubt that I lived as a girl only to my late teens in USA,the high school sweater I wore was bright red with a large 52 on the right hand side,would love to know which high school I attended,the name Redfern High is always in the back of my mind,though I have never been able to find out anymore info.I am certain something sinister happened to me as a teenage girl which ended in my passing.My father took me to a big side show at about age 4-5 years ,a clown was headed our way and I became hysterical ,screaming,my dad picked me up and placed me above his shoulders, I still did not feel safe until he took me away from there.I often wonder if a clown had something to do with my life ending previously.
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Thanks so much for reading Peg, yes she was amazing wasn't she? Thanks!
Really great story Nell, and well told. Fascinating concept. One day we will all understand this and other strange and mysterious stuff.
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Hi Ken, different religions interpret it in different ways, I really don't know whether its true or not, but its a beautiful idea, thanks so much for reading, nell
I always love such kind of stories/ facts. I do believe in reincarnation and rebirth, though in some religions this is absolutely unacceptable.
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Hi stellar, thank you so much! thats made my day! go on start writing, you may surprise yourself! lol!
This post is incredible! You obviously know how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost..haha) Excellent job. I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it. Too cool! Stellar Phoenix
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Hi Anne, thanks for reading, and glad you liked it, nell
It is a really marvellous story.
Voted up and well done.
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Hi rema, thanks again, Yes it seems to be more prevalent in India than Europe but stories like this do appear, and it makes me wonder that maybe because its so world wide something must be going on, fascinating though and wouldn't it be wonderful? nell
Hi Nell,
A very interesting story very well-written Nell. Here in India this phenomenon is not uncommon. Memories of a past life have made even little children including a little girl whose age I don't remember, go in search of their children from their previous life. This was a few years ago and I haven't seen or heard of any such thing recently.
Well if it has happened then it must be true. We have to believe certain things even though we have been taught to rationalize everything and perceive them with a more common sense approach.
Great hub Nell. Cheers, Rema.
Its probably reincarnation, it sure sounds like it. Thanks, too.
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Hi gail, it is such a fascinating story, something was definitely going on, genetic memory? maybe, telepathy? probably not, so really it only leaves reincarnation, wish we could figure it out! lol! thanks again, nell
A fascinating true story. Reincarnation sounds like a great idea. It is nice that the family was able to get back together again. Wonderful!
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Thanks mary, reincarnation is one of those things that fascinates me, who knows? maybe it really is true, wouldn't that be something? thanks as always, nell
Oh, my: What a compelling story! Who knows??? I have a tendency to believe in reincarnation myself.
This is "spooky" but a good read, Mary
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Hi misty, thanks so much for reading, yes I agree, the answer is out there, but we just need scientists or someone to come up with the answer, thanks again, nell
Wonderful hub Nell, and my opinion is that reincarnation could very realistically exist, but that we are not yet scientifically advanced enough to understand it or how it works yet (in much the same way as 50 years ago we would not have understood Sky TV or Mobile Phones, but they exist now!)
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Hi, Vincent, I totally understand, I Had a dream years ago that was so real I actually did a drawing of it, If only I could find it now. I dreamt that I was gliding towards a woman, and when I reached her, my soul entered her body, and I became her. She was an oldish woman, 60s? and dressed in 17th century clothing. I became her, and stood by a window looking down on roundheads and cavaliers, the time of Cromwell. I had a small boy with me, three years old, with blond curly hair, dressed in a blue costume of the day. a few years later I had my son, who also had blond curly hair! it was so real, I can see it as clearly now as I did back then, thanks so much for reading, and the vote, cheers nell
Nell I fell upon this hub of yours and am truly amazed, yet not surprised. Like Green Lotus I am a believer in reincarnation. I know I am from another time, feel it deeply at times, have dreams of past lives. I am often stirred to write the way I do, prompted by an unknown force I call my Muse.
You see Nell, a father and mentor I never had came into my life and changed it when I was but 15 yrs old. He had a huge impact on my future, he passed over in 1992. I always felt his presence and had a graveyard experience with him once visiting his marker, I would never forget.
I truly believe he stands by me as my Muse today and gives me the words I lay down in here. I also had an apparition experience a few years back when I was an over the road highway driver. I write about The Lady in White in a poem I wrote about her. I called it "Graveyard of Lost Souls."
So yes my friend, I am a believer and this fascinating story hits home to me. Simply incredible and rare indeed, but so accurate. Voted UP awesome, interesting and useful...
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Hi, AEvans, this story has always fascinated me, ever since I read the book a few years ago, it seems it must be reincarnation, I can't think of anything else that would explain it, thanks so much for reading, cheers nell
What an amazing story! I believe there is more out there that we cannot understand. I believe it was reincarnation and there was a purpose with this family. I am in awe with this, thank so much for sharing. :) Thumbs up!
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Thanks Mary, I love this story, it fascinates me, I have the book at home, and thank you for adding it to your Newspaper, much appreciated, cheers nell
I love this article Nell and have no doubt that we have been here many times before. It is not just because I am from Ireland that the story attracted me but the subject matter is always captivating. I have also tweeted it and will get Xavier add it to our Hypnotherapy daily Newspaper.
Great piece of writing as always.
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Hi, Silva, they say 'out of the mouth of babes', and this certainly seems like it! its when small children say these sort of things that make it seem much more feasable, good luck with the secret envelope! I would love to try it too, make sure you let me know when you have been, can't wait to hear your story, thanks for reading, cheers nell
Just found this article by accident, and wow, what a strange story! I 'think' I believe in reincarnation; not sure. When she was 3 years old, my 13-year-old granddaughter told me matter-of-factly what her name was in her last life. I was mixing up a batch of cookies at the time and almost dropped the bowl. To the best of my knowledge, she had never heard the theory of reincarnation mentioned. Nell, I have always wanted to go to a hypnotist and have a past-life regression, and I never did. Starting today I am going to put a secret envelope in a hiding place and start putting money in it, a little here and a little there, and save up for a visit to the hypnotist. I will certainly write a hubpage article about it afterwards. Thanks, Nell, well written, voted Up and interesting!
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Hi, Jools, I think the connection stopped with the Suttons, I do agree with you, is it reincarnation? I think there is a lot more to it than that, what I don't know! lol! but I think people always think ghosts, reincarnation etc, maybe its telepathy? thanks nell
Nell, this is a very interesting hub. I'm not sure I believe in reincarnation but I still found this story fascinating, I wondered if Jenny experienced anything like this again or was her connection only with the Sutton family? Voted up.
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Hi, Joanna, sorry it took me so long to answer, so busy running around! lol it is a very strange story, and true! who knows how this works? I did use to believe completely in reincarnation, but there is always that doubt, but after researching this, it does make me believe it much more, but it can be confusing, so many questions as you said, hopefully scientists will figure it out one of these days, thanks for reading, cheers nell
"whether we believe in reincarnation, or not. something extraordinary happened" - I've found this article accidentaly and don't know what to tthink about it... Hard to believe BUT it happened and it's a fact! Where will be my soul in the future? Where are all souls? Many questions and no answers... Do we need answers? Maybe they will not make us happier...
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Hi, Paradise, its an amazing story isn't it? just to think that she got them all back together! it must have been so hard to lose each other like that, but what a happy ending, thanks so much for reading, cheers nell
Very cool story. I believe her, there's too much evidence not to. I'm so glad the children were reunited at last. I'll bet it made a hole in their lives, to lose the brothers and sisters to each other at an early age.
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Hi, Dolores, that's a fascinating story! It does make you think, I remember my friends little girl telling me that I looked after her when we lived in a castle! strange stuff! thanks for reading, cheers nell
Hi, Nell - this was a beautiful story, how the family was reunited by this "stranger" mother. When one of my sons was about 4 years old, we were walking in an old part of the city and came upon blocks of marble set near the curb. We stopped to look at them. My son said they were for people to use to climb into carriages in the past. He went on for some time, days later, about how it was to live, how people dressed in the late 19th century. I always wondered where he got that stuff and could not help but wonder if he was remembering another life. He used to tell me the stories and start, "before I was born." You never know.....
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Hi, Lisa, thanks for reading it, I would love to have a past life regression, I am really interested in it, thanks again nell
Hi Nell Rose. Love your hubs. I recently had two past life regressions and learned how my current life parallels them. If only everyone could be more open to looking deep within ourselves to learn who we really are instead of getting so caught up in the hecticness of everyday life.
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Hi, kentucky, you could well be right, we do have dreams and feelings of being here before, I remember watching a tv program when I was a child and thinking that it was really familiar to me, it was set in the sixteen century, and for years after I still felt the same, thanks for reading, cheers nell
This is a very interesting hub (one of the most interesting I have read in awhile!) I was 'raised' to believe that reincarnation was untrue but over the years I have leaned more and more toward the belief that it is in fact true.
I had a strange experience when I was a kid that I now believe was a result of a latent memory of a previous lifetime as a "Native American" (I really dont like that term) on the Great Plains.
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Hi, Lilleyth, that is amazing! it just goes to show that there is more to this than just guess work, thanks for sharing your story, cheers
At the age of 12, my brother began remembering my deceased grandfather's life. My brother was born 3 days before my grandfather died of a heartattack. He asked my father where a certain man was, who had a cone-shaped head, who was an acquaintance of my grandfather, and deceased. He would become very upset and said he "wasn't supposed to talk about it" when questioned.
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Hi, Muldanianman, thanks for reading it, I think I remember that story about the woman that said she lived in Australia, it was years ago and I thought I had imagined it! thanks for the reminder, your story is fascinating, I would certainly look into it more, very strange, thanks for sharing, cheers nell
I must add the story of my own extraordinary experience, which seriously made me question if reincarnation may have some reality. I attended a Spiritualist church and was constantly told that I had a spirit of a writer working with me. I took this with a pinch of salt. I was given the name William, and told that this writer looked very much like me. I was told these things by more than one medium.
Then, one day, my father asked me to research a great uncle of his, by the name of William Sharp. Typing the name on google, I was first presented by the picture of a Willian Sharp, who was a writer from Paisley, which is only a few miles from my family of Sharps. He was a Spiritualist, who believed a spirit wrote automatically through him. Sharp died in 1905. Looking at his photo, I was amazed, because he is the spitting image of myself. I discovered that several of Sharp's life events are very similar to my own.
I then read one of Sharp's fairy tales, and was further amazed, because the outline of the story was almost identical to a fairy tale written by me. I have tried to discover a link between William Sharp and my family, which has a long line of William Sharps, going back centuries. Whether this is all just a set of amazing coincidences, I have no idea, but suspect that it probably is, but it is easy to get carried away when presented by these similarities.
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