Jacky Newcomb – Messages from Heaven

OMTimes: Where did the ideas for the pictures and ‘messages’ come from?

Jacky Newcomb: I had researched another book called, Heaven, in which people who’d had near death experiences or received visits from loved ones shared their tales of what it was actually like in heaven. Their descriptions of heaven were of a more beautiful version of earth, with beautiful flowers and trees and bodies of water shimming in a constant glow of light. Animals were in heaven too, especially pets that were often waiting to greet newcomers as they crossed through the pearly gates.

I was convinced that Dad had a hand in creating and inspiring the cards and strangely, my brother-in-law, author Nick Richardson had taken a beautiful photograph of my Dad holding his grandson’s hand years earlier.

That hand picture now features on the inside box and also on one of the cards. Sadly, my black cat Magik passed away whilst I was sourcing the images. She was a constant companion and always sat with me whilst I worked.

She also features on one of the cards; representing all the other pets who watch over us in heaven. I wanted the images to be beautiful and natural, safe and non-scary. Our brilliant illustrator added a sprinkle of magic to every image.

OMTimes: How do those who have passed over reach out to us?

Jacky Newcomb: Our loved ones often reach out in dream visitations to let us know that they are around us but they also have several other tricks and methods up their sleeves (if indeed they have sleeves!). Dad tested them all out; ringing the doorbell, playing music when the player was unplugged at the wall; changing channel on the television when his favorite program was on another tv channel and so on. Like angels, our loved ones also leave white feathers. I’ve loved sharing these stories in my books and have also included some in the booklet that accompanies the cards!