Book Time! Let’s Start With Miracles

My practice has been busier than it used to be, and rather than blogging, I’ve been escaping into books in some of my off time recently. I guess I have needed that…

So, combining my need to share with you, with my need to go inward, I bring you a review of an interesting newer book I read. The Afterlife of Billy Fingers, How My Bad-Boy Brother Proved To Me There’s Life After Death, is a fascinating book by a woman who, quite unexpectedly, begins to receive communications from her brother after he dies very suddenly.

This very sweet book of a true story regarding life-after-death communication between siblings was fun and mostly engaging to read. I think it would be an absolutely ideal film; one with some miracles so unlikely that it could be like the best of Hollywood’s movies, yet the story is true–and thus could deeply affect and help many if it was done by a sensitive, careful director and very conscious actors. Someone should make this film!

Overall I loved it. However, it’s not a perfect book—though a quick and easy read, something in the writing style made it slow going for me until far into the book when the authors’ ex is helped by her deceased brother Billy in a big way (I won’t be a spoiler here with details). The whole story is amazing, but for me that is where the miracles really began and I finally shed a tear of heart-opening awe. Although Kagan is a decent writer, the writing fell rather flat for me until that point. But it’s a lovely tribute to her brother, and does much to communicate her experience of the grace, healing, love, and wonder that she receives as “downloads” from the other side via Billy. While  her writing doesn’t really do it justice, she is earnest in her beautiful words. Again, I say: it could be an even better as a film…

The other semi-down side is that it goes into great length about Billy’s experiences “over there”~and, while interesting, again it is so much about HIS journey and HER experience of the energies he imparts. It’s wonderful–and affected me in a positive, uplifting way. But being a psychic, where I have the honor of peering into so many realities, I know that his path is somewhat specific to him, and only partially explanatory of the jouney all souls take. For some, though, it will be validating and comforting to get a glimpse of the unconditional love. Billy’s message that even he, the proverbial “bad boy” type in his earth sojourn, had lessons to learn from that~~and is actually quite a powerful soul~~ is quite possibly the key lesson here. I believe the way he presents this will stir something deeply for any reader, perhaps in particular those who wonder if there is any sort of spiritual hope or “redemption” (I don’t mean that in any religious sense at all) for those who seem to us to be living unsuccessful lives.

Ultimately, it’s a great story and quite encouraging, if one believes it is true–which I have absolutely no reason to believe not. I love stories with miracles and unlikely healing coincidences, and this does have a few great ones. I appreciated her writing this, taking the risk, and sharing from her heart. And best of all, perhaps, is that, unlike some reports or books on communications from, or experiences of “the other side,” there is no religious overtone nor implication that one need be of a certain faith to experience glorious spirituality and union with the Divine.

Oh, and by the way…my best friend (400 miles away) and I decided to read it at the same time. When I told her my thoughts, she chimed in, “I had the same thought while reading it—that it would make a great movie!”