19 years ago my grandmother died, in the midst of her mourning my mother began to spend more time at an Allan Kardec institution called Perseverance. At this institution she frequently volunteered, to paint schools, sort clothes, feed the homeless and many other acts of grace.

 At this institution they offered masses, during these masses there was a medium that would often deliver messages from the dead to the living in the congregation. Messages from children to their parents assuring them they were in a better place, husbands delivering messages of love to their wives still living. My mom attended these masses hoping for a message from her mother. She never received one.

My mothers labor with me was a difficult one and she believed she would die. She began to feel herself slipping away and her body giving out on her. But in the hospital she saw her mother. My grandmother told my mother that she needed to keep on living, she needed to take care of me. They spoke back and forth and my father said my mother truly was speaking out loud with her. My grandmother insisted my mother needed to live and be with me, and after my mother heard me cry from still inside her stomach she was renewed and understood that she did truly need to be with me. 

My grandmother stayed with me through much of my early childhood. My mother claims that I laughed and played on my own but when asked what I was doing I always responded playing with my grandmother. I shared many moments with her spirit, conversation and games when I was much too young to understand what she was then. She kissed me on my forehead goodnight for many years. And while she may have died long before I was born, her spirit stayed with me and my mother. 

Photo from Gulftoday

In Spiritism, spirits are believed to be entities that continue to exist after physical death, capable of communicating with the living and influencing human affairs as part of a larger spiritual evolution.Through Spiritism, Kardec aims to provide a solid foundation for spirituality in the world, fostering a deeper understanding of the human condition and encouraging personal growth through the exploration of spiritual phenomena.

When speaking about spirits and the benefits of interacting with them Alam Kardec said,“Communication with the beings of the world beyond the grave enables us to see and to comprehend the life to come, initiates us into the joys and sorrows that await us therein according to our deserts, and thus brings back to spiritualism those who had come to see in man only matter, only an organized machine..." (Kardec, 1860:421-2). According to Kardec, he believes that spirits are very important to understanding your life and death by understanding the path of others. 

Spiritism has deeply influenced my daily life, giving me a sense of purpose and connection to the world. I believe that our actions and thoughts affect not just our lives but also the spiritual realm. This belief motivates me to be kind, compassionate, and patient, knowing that everything I do impacts my spiritual growth and the well-being of others. Through mediumship, I often seek guidance from spirits, which gives me valuable insights and comfort when facing challenges.

Believing in reincarnation also shapes how I view life's ups and downs. I understand that my current experiences are part of a larger journey of spiritual growth, with lessons to learn and karmic debts to settle. This belief helps me stay resilient and optimistic, even during tough times, as I trust in a higher plan and the continuous progress of my soul. By embracing Spiritism, I find deeper meaning and greater peace, feeling connected to a vast spiritual network.