Glimpses of Heaven

Hospice nurse Harris shares more than 40 true stories about what lies beyond death and what the living can learn from the dying. Her patients' visions of angels, sightings of departed loved ones, and sounds of ethereal music open a window onto the next world, providing comfort and assurance for those facing death and loss.

"I've often said that "heaven is a real place." Not a concept, not an idea - but a "real place." Who better to remind us of this than a hospice nurse who witnessed glimpses of heaven countless times through the lives and deaths of her patients."

--Don Piper, author of the New York Times bestseller, 90 Minutes in Heaven

"As I read this book, I cried, I laughed, and I thought ... of my own mortality. This collection of stories transcends generations and time. These stories have tremendous pathos and show tremendous faith and courage."

--Bob Losure, former CNN Headline News anchor

"As part of my work I read many books, but Trudy Harris's description of the spiritual experiences of the dying was something that I could not put down. She is clearly loving and compassionate in sharing how the dying prepare for traveling on to the next life. Trudy has written a beautiful work, helping us know what might happen in our own journey as she gives us courage, hope, and faith in realizing that dying is the path to new life."

--Francis MacNutt, Ph.D., co-founding director, Chrsitian Healing Ministries; author, Healing

"Glimpses of Heaven brings home in so many moving and deeply inspiring ways the reality of life after death--a life filled with the abundance of God's love and the joy of those we loved dearly in this world. We are truly indebted to Trudy Harris for sharing these experiences with many who need to be reassured that the best part is ahead."

--Most Reverend John J. Snyder, former Bishop of Saint Augustine

"This book is for everyone--from health care providers to social workers to clergy, and all of us who will one day find ourselves saying good-bye to someone we love. Glimpses of Heaven goes where few people venture--into a sacred space that is worth exploring."

--Paul Malley, President, Aging with Dignity

"Her book is a significant addition to the literature in its emphasis on the spiritual dimensions of living each day fully all the way to life's ending. The stories presented reflect the very real communication that occurs at the end of life between the dying person and those who care for them."

--Paul Brenner, MDiv; CEO of Hospice Programs in Florida, Maryland, and New York City; consultant for

the Healing Project, San Francisco, California

Trudy Harris, was a hospice nurse for many years, moving on to become president of the Hospice Foundation for Caring. During those 22 years, she continued to play a natural role as nurse, helping people to enter the hospice program when she knew it would be helpful and appropriate for them to do so. At the same time Harris took on additional roles in marketing, public-relations, fund-raising, and development, raising more than 45 million dollars in capital contributions for the HFC. She was hired by the local hospice while serving 6 to 10 patients a day and retired when they were serving 950 terminally ill and dying patients every day. She retired feeling that the work to which God had drawn her many years before had been accomplished. She is now retired and living in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband and enjoys traveling, being with friends, and loving her four grandchildren.

As a hospice nurse and the former president of the Hospice Foundation for Caring, Harris has seen more than her share of death. In this collection of 44 real-life stories, she shares her own journeys with patients in their final days with an eye not only to what the dying experience, but what those last days, weeks and months may teach those of us who walk with them. Regardless of our lifelong faith, or lack thereof, Harris believes, most dying people come to experience God's unconditional love and his desire to welcome us home, a point illustrated by the book's stories. Many of the shorter two- or three-page stories lack enough detail or new information to be thought provoking or spiritually nurturing, but Harris's longer anecdotes, like those about her grandparents, are deeply touching and encouraging. Those attending a dying person will find examples of ways they may listen to and be helpful to them. Those who wonder about what their own journey toward death may be like will find in these stories a demystification of the last days of life on earth and future glimpses of heaven that offer comfort and hope. (Apr.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

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Reviewed by Nikki Buchanan (Churubusco, IN), September 11, 2009

This is an awesome book. I couldn't put it down. it is such an encouragemnent for those that know the Lord and those that don't . I believe that nonbelievers would definitely be drawn to the Lord just by the stories in this book.

Reviewed by Barbara Williston (Hardwicke, N.B.), September 08, 2009

I really enjoyed this book....I shared it with a friend who is a palliative care nurse and she said that she has seen and heard many of these things from her patients.....A great read.

Reviewed by Wanda Bax (Los Angeles, CA), May 23, 2009

I highly recommend this book. It will make you laugh and cry and think. What a beautiful tribute.

Reviewed by Garry Rintoule (Keilor Lodge, Victoria, Australia), April 28, 2009

What a wonderful God we serve. Trudy Harris certainly had some wonderful experiences of seeing God at work when those she was caring for were nearing the end of their lives on earth. Page after page is filled with stories of how intimate God is with His children. This book has given me a new understanding of the role of the hospice nurse. Don't we all desire that we could pass from earth to Heaven in ways similar to those the author has so simply expressed.

Reviewed by Christine Domingo (San Antonio, TX), February 05, 2009

what a joy to read of real life experiences of folks as they pass from this world to the next. it is inspiring and encouraging to see how God works to bring all things together in perfect harmony at the end of life for those who are focusing their eyes on Him and the glory to come. this hospice nurse has been there to see these people go through these experiences first hand, so how exciting that she can share them with us and offer those insights to many who have terminal illness. what a great gladness to know they have a definite home in God's heaven to look forward to, without fear or dread. i thank her for writing this book for all of us!!!

Reviewed by Teresa Doell (New Braunfels, TX), January 30, 2009

A very insightful and inspiring book. Trudy has done a beautiful job of letting us into her world of being with these people. It will make you think seriously about the time you will face these times in your life with friends and loved ones. A heart warming and soul searching book!

Reviewed by Nicole Stamper (Foxboro, WI), December 05, 2008

This is the best book that I have read this year. It shows that God really loves everyone.

Reviewed by Judy (Savage, MN), November 12, 2008

I purchased this book because my 90 year old father is receiving hospice care and I wanted to know what the signs of nearing death were. As a born again Christian I know that God has his angels here on earth around us, I am not sure how dead relatives can come for you, (not really biblical) unless they are actually angels that look like your relatives. I do not question her stories, she is telling what she has seen from the many people she has witnessed dying. Although, she seems to refer to them as all God's children, so I do not know if she is referring to Christians only or all people. The Bible says in John 1:12 "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God - children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God."

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