2008 Foreword II

Richard Hussey

Two words always come to mind whenever I think about this treasure of a book. “Amazing” is one.

The first amazing thing is that May Wright Sewall would decide to share her extremely personal story with the world, knowing it would expose her to public ridicule.

Imagine a woman who was better known in the United States of America and around the world, in her time, than was Elizabeth Dole when Mrs. Dole was the wife of a United States Senator and the President of the American Red Cross!

Imagine if today, Mrs. Dole were to have a book published in which she tells readers that for the last twenty years, she had been talking to “dead” people every night (while fully awake) for hours at a time. And for eight or nine of those years, doing this while she carried out her duties as President of the American Red Cross, as the wife of a U.S. Senator, as a homemaker, etc.

In her day, Mrs. Sewall was equally busy with a full-time career, club presidencies, even trips to Europe to represent the President of the United States.

She was the principal of a large private day and boarding school, the Classical School for Girls, Indianapolis, Indiana. She also taught a three-hour class each day and supervised a corps of twenty-five teachers in the school proper and the home for these students as well as her own house, which involved the direction of ten helpers. At Sewall House, she entertained a steady stream of guests, some staying overnight, some staying for days. And she was doing this at times (as you will read) when she might have had just one hour of sleep at night and sometimes gone several days, even weeks with only one meal.

The second amazing fact about this book is that it was published at all! The publisher stubbornly resisted every step in the publishing process.

It was only because Mrs. Sewall was so famous and had so many friends in high places, who kept applying pressure, that he agreed to publish the book at all, and even then, only printed three thousand copies. When shortly after the book was published, Mrs. Sewall passed away, he took the opportunity to avoid a second printing. As soon as the three thousand copies had been given away or sold, the book was no longer available to buyers.

The third amazing thing about this book is that even with so few copies in existence, people who needed to read it at a special time in their lives somehow “happened” upon a copy.

It happened to Wayne Green’s mother, and it happened to me.

Which brings us to the second word—“serendipity.”

“Serendipity” is one of Wayne Green’s favorite words, and his 2008 foreword to this edition perfectly describes what happened to Wayne’s mother.

It is also the word that describes how I was introduced to this rare book by Wayne Green at just the perfect time in my life.

I immediately wanted to get it back in print and to make it widely available at this momentous time in mankind’s spiritual journey.

That was in 2002.

Finally, in 2008, just in time for you to experience serendipity, this book is available for you to discover its message for yourself.

If this book came to you as a gift, you are doubly blessed.

First, because someone recognized that you are that kind of person who would appreciate this book.

Second, because while you are reading this book, you will have a spiritual awakening that will bring you great peace.

If you did not receive this book as a gift, but simply discovered it some other way, trust me, you were led to this book.

And maybe, after you have read it, you will know in your heart of hearts that a copy of this book would be the perfect gift for someone you know.

However it happened, you now own a copy of this great book. You will read it, and your journey through life will be altered for the better.

And always remember this: You are a spiritual being having a physical experience on planet Earth. That is the real you.

Richard Hussey
Cathar Press

To order your copy of Neither Dead Nor Sleeping by May Wright Sewall, 2008 Cathar Press Special Edition, click here