A woman has shared an incredible story, which some people believe could go one step further in proving whether there really is an afterlife.
Madie Johnson took to Instagram, where she shared the haunting story behind her unusual tattoo, which first appears to be a scrawling in another language.
But, if you look closely, you can see the scribbled letters actually spell out the words ‘it’s real’.
Madie revealed the tattoo was actually a tribute to her aunt Tina Hines, who died for 27 minutes before being brought back to life.
Mother-of-four Tina was resuscitated six times, four of which were by her very own husband, and twice more in hospital.
Madie, who hails from California, US, shared the story on Instagram, telling her followers:
A little over a year ago my Aunt Tina, one of the most amazing, discerning, and healthy people I know had an unexpected cardiac arrest and according to doctors had died and was brought back to life four times by my Uncle Brian and first responders before arriving to the hospital.
She was put on a defibrillator and after miraculously waking up the first thing she did, unable to speak because she was intubated, was ask for a pen and in my cousins journal wrote ‘it’s real’.
The people in the room asked ‘what’s real?’ and she responded by pointing up to heaven with tears in her eyes.
Her story is too real not to share and has given me a stronger confidence in a faith that so often goes unseen.
It has given me a tangibleness to an eternal hope that is not too far away. I love you [Tina Hines].
The way you boldly love Jesus and others has changed the way I hope to live and love.
The incredible story has now been liked more than 17,500 times, inspiring comments from hundreds of Christians who believe it proves God and the afterlife is real.
One person commented:
This truly touched my heart and like you, gave me assurance in my faith. Thank you for sharing. I am praying for a quick and full recovery for your aunt Tina!
Meanwhile, others were skeptical of the meaning behind Tina’s experience, with one writing:
Clinical death isn’t biological death. Hate to burst the bubble… your brain is still working so it’s no different than dreaming. When your heart shuts down your central nervous system works and that shock can send a wave of euphoria to ease your body.
Thoughts and memories can and will def occur. Active brain. Clinical death is a term they are trying to rid from use for many reasons. Cool concept though, definitely.
Indeed medical staff have confirmed brain activity continues post the ‘time of death’, with some even suggesting there is a surge in brain activity at this point.
But what does it all really mean? I guess we’ll never really know, and those who find out what it is to actually die won’t be around to tell the tale.
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via story@unilad.com
Emma Rosemurgey is an NCTJ trained Journalist who started her career by producing The Royal Rosemurgey newspaper in 2004, which kept her family up to date with the goings on of her sleepy north east village. She graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in Preston and started her career in regional newspapers before joining Tyla (formerly Pretty 52) in 2017, and progressing onto UNILAD in 2019.