I died once. Seriously dead, seven and a half minutes, Charlton Methodist, right off highway 67. Last year in fact. I had been in a car accident, and a punctured lung that was missed by the paramedics resulted in my dying in the ambulance just outside the hospital in the parking lot. 

I want to share what I experienced during those short minutes. I've changed so much because of it I hardly recognise myself anymore.

What did I see or notice first? Seems like that might be a very significant thing, that which happened first. Many reports, when near death experiences started being a thing in the late 80's, mentioned a tunnel of light, or a light. I'd have to honestly report I did not see a light, there was no tunnel, there was, however, a door. 

Wait, that's not right, that's not what happened first.

I had been in the car with my best friend at the time, a guy named Rikki. We had been cruising around, doing very little other than listen to some music. He had taken a left onto Wheatland when a truck must have run the red and hit his car. I kinda remember hearing the sound of glass hitting the ground. I was in pain, serious pain all over. Colors, flashing colors, which I know had to have come from either a police car or the ambulance.

At some point I was standing on the corner, which confused me. It made no sense as it happened so quickly. But there I was standing on the corner, watching the paramedics and firemen work with the wreckage. I didn't see my body, I wasn't floating over the scene, I was just one of a small group of bystanders.

It took the paramedics about ten minutes to get me up and into the back of the ambulance. I did see my body then. I have to admit, it was quite a shock. I had convinced myself that I had been thrown from the car and that the paramedics must have been working on Rikki. But I saw my face, my pale face on the body they put on the stretcher. My eyes were closed, there was blood on my forehead and chin, which made my face look even whiter. They had a brace on my neck and I was covered with those awful hospital sheets and strapped onto the gurney.

When the ambulance sped off, I felt a small tug, a little twinge in my chest, that went away very quickly. It was then, right then, that I saw the door.