Remember Me

1. Death is not the end, but a transition to a different state of consciousness

I'm the color of wind. I can dance on moonbeams and sometimes cause a star to twinkle.

A sudden transition. Shari Cooper's sudden death from a four-story balcony plunge does not result in immediate blackness, but rather a disorienting shift in perception. She awakens to find herself invisible to the living, existing in a world where physical objects are barely tangible and the air is filled with a translucent, flowing plasma. This new state of being reveals that consciousness persists independently of the physical body.

The ghostly reality. As a spirit, Shari must navigate the frustrating boundaries of her new existence, learning that her interactions with the physical world are governed entirely by her own psychological expectations. She discovers that she can pass through solid objects when she drops her mental inhibitions, yet she remains tethered to the environments and people she loved. Her new reality includes:

• The inability to easily open doors or communicate directly with the living.
• A heightened visual perception that allows her to see auras and cosmic colors.
• The realization that physical pain is merely a projection of the mind.

A guiding presence. She is not alone in this transition; she is met by Peter Nichols, a deceased classmate who serves as her spiritual guide. Peter helps her understand that the afterlife is not a place of fire and brimstone, but a simpler, thought-driven dimension. Together, they explore the mechanics of spirit transportation and the power of focused attention.

2. Unresolved earthly attachments and the quest for justice can delay spiritual progression

That's what saddens me most about dying—that I'll never know.

Tethered by injustice. Shari's refusal to enter the "Light" stems from her burning desire to uncover the truth behind her death. Although Peter urges her to move on, she cannot accept the official police ruling of suicide, which tarnishes her memory and devastates her family. Her quest for justice becomes an anchor, keeping her bound to the earthly plane.

The investigative drive. She embarks on a supernatural investigation, shadowing her friends and family to piece together the events of the night she died. This obsession with her own murder highlights the difficulty of letting go of one's earthly identity and reputation. Her investigation reveals:

• The pain of watching her family grieve without being able to comfort them.
• The frustration of relying on a flawed, alcoholic detective to solve her case.
• The realization that her friends' lives continue to move on in her absence.

The danger of delay. Peter warns her that staying on Earth is highly dangerous, exposing her to spiritual stagnation and the terrifying pursuit of the Shadow. Yet, Shari's stubbornness illustrates a fundamental human truth: the need for closure can be stronger than the pull of eternal peace. Her journey demonstrates how earthly grievances can paralyze the soul's evolution.

3. The "Shadow" we fear in the afterlife is the manifestation of our own self-judgment and guilt

In the presence of the Shadow, any judgment you hold against yourself is magnified a million fold.

A terrifying mirror. Throughout her spiritual journey, Shari is pursued by a shifting, vaporous entity known as the Shadow. This creature fills her with an overwhelming sense of dread and loathing, appearing as a monstrous force eager to consume her. However, she eventually learns that the Shadow is not an external devil, but a projection of her own unresolved guilt and self-criticism.

The weight of memory. The Shadow represents the sum of a person's earthly thoughts, regrets, and self-judgments accumulated throughout their lifetime. When spirits face this entity, they are forced to confront their deepest insecurities and the pain they have caused others. Key aspects of the Shadow include:

• It is unique to each individual, reflecting their specific life experiences.
• It feeds on fear, growing stronger the more a spirit runs from it.
• It must be faced and accepted before a spirit can truly find peace.

Peter's hidden shame. Peter's own terror of the Shadow stems from his secret suicide, a desperate act triggered by a ruined baseball career and profound loneliness. By running from his Shadow, he has remained earthbound for two years, unable to forgive himself for throwing away his life. Their shared struggle reveals that the ultimate battle in the afterlife is the battle for self-acceptance.

4. Human relationships are often obscured by superficiality and hidden betrayals

Teenage girls are always complaining about the way they look, but now that no one is looking at me, I see something else—I should never have complained.

The illusion of closeness. Shari's post-death observations force her to confront the superficial nature of her high school relationships. She watches her boyfriend, Daniel, quickly seek comfort in the arms of her friend Beth, realizing that his affection was shallow and easily replaced. This painful revelation highlights how easily the living can mask their true intentions behind polite smiles and social conventions.

Uncovering the truth. As an invisible observer, Shari gains access to the private moments and secret conversations of her peer group. She witnesses the complex web of jealousy, lust, and insecurity that governed their interactions, realizing that her social circle was far from perfect. Her investigations uncover:

• Daniel's betrayal with Beth in the Jacuzzi on the night of her death.
• Jo's secret, unrequited love for Jeff Nichols, Peter's grieving brother.
• The underlying tension and lack of genuine trust among her closest associates.

A shift in perspective. This spiritual vantage point allows Shari to see past the physical beauty and material wealth that she once valued so highly. She recognizes her own past superficiality and regrets the time she wasted worrying about trivial matters. The experience serves as a powerful reminder that true connection requires vulnerability and honesty, qualities that were sorely lacking in her earthly life.

5. The truth of our identity runs deeper than social constructs and biological assumptions

You see, I have to ask him one more thing, to tell you this, that I loved you as much as any mother loved a child. You were always my daughter.

A shocking revelation. The climax of Shari's investigation uncovers a devastating family secret: she was switched at birth with Amanda Parish. This act of vengeance was carried out by Jo's mother, Mrs. Foulton, to punish her sister, Mrs. Parish, for an affair with Mr. Foulton. Consequently, Shari grew up in a wealthy household that was not biologically hers, while her true mother lived in poverty.

The biological ties. This revelation explains the deep, unspoken connection Shari always felt toward Mrs. Parish, whom she affectionately called "Mother Mary." It also reveals the tragic irony of Amanda's relationship with Jimmy, who is actually Amanda's biological brother. The consequences of this switch include:

• The genetic link of color-blindness shared by Amanda and Jimmy.
• The profound sense of displacement and jealousy that fueled Amanda's madness.
• The realization that love and maternal bonds can transcend biological manipulation.

Redefining family. Shari's journey forces her to redefine her understanding of family and identity. She realizes that her biological mother's quiet love was a constant source of spiritual strength, even when they were unaware of their true relationship. This twist highlights the theme that our souls are connected by ties far stronger than mere legal or social definitions.

6. Entering the dream state of the living allows spirits to witness raw subconscious truths

Because people have to be asleep for you to get into their dreams. And when they're asleep, they're—asleep.

The dream gateway. Shari discovers that she can bridge the gap between the living and the dead by entering her friends' dreams. This realm of the subconscious bypasses the physical barriers that keep her isolated, allowing her to interact with their sleeping minds. However, she quickly learns that dreams are chaotic, symbolic, and highly unpredictable environments.

Subconscious revelations. Within the dream state, Shari witnesses the raw, unfiltered thoughts of those she left behind. She navigates Daniel's bizarre, guilt-ridden fantasies and Jo's terrifying nightmare of a burning crystal ball, gaining deep insights into their psyches. Her dream-walking experiences reveal:

• Daniel's deep-seated guilt and horror over her tragic death.
• Jo's subconscious fear that she was somehow responsible for Shari's fall.
• The difficulty of conveying clear, logical messages to a sleeping mind.

The risk of trauma. While dream-walking offers a unique method of communication, it also carries the risk of traumatizing the living. Shari's intense confrontation with Jo leaves her friend hysterical, believing she is being haunted by a vengeful ghost. This experience teaches Shari that manipulating the subconscious of the living can cause unintended harm, reinforcing the boundary between their worlds.

7. True forgiveness and letting go of hatred are the keys to overcoming spiritual paralysis

We've got to get rid of it. We have to forgive Amanda in order to be able to burst the balloon.

The ultimate test. The climax of the novel occurs when Amanda, driven by jealousy and madness, attempts to murder Jimmy with a massive insulin overdose and an air embolism. Shari must intervene to save her brother's life, entering his very bloodstream to break up the deadly air bubble. To succeed, however, she must first overcome her own intense hatred for her killer.

The power of forgiveness. In a visionary encounter inside Jimmy's failing heart, Shari realizes that the black soot staining her hands represents her lingering resentment. She understands that she cannot save Jimmy or find her own peace while harboring anger toward Amanda. Her act of forgiveness is characterized by:

• Recognizing Amanda's profound suffering and mental illness.
• Letting go of the desire for vengeance and cosmic retribution.
• Cleansing her spirit of the toxic emotions that bound her to the earth.

A life-saving miracle. By forgiving Amanda, Shari is able to dissolve the spiritual barrier and help Jimmy pop the symbolic "balloon" in his heart, restoring his heartbeat. This act of pure, selfless love not only saves Jimmy's life but also frees Shari and Peter from their earthly tethers. It serves as the ultimate proof that love and forgiveness are the most powerful forces in the universe.

8. The "Light" represents ultimate, non-judgmental peace and the final destination of the soul

I am not dead. Death does not exist. I am alive!

The final destination. Having resolved her earthly mysteries and saved her brother, Shari is finally ready to embrace the Light. This ultimate state of consciousness is not a place of judgment, but of absolute, unconditional love and peace. It represents the dissolution of the ego and the realization of the soul's eternal nature.

A shared journey. Shari does not enter the Light alone; she is joined by Peter, who has finally faced his Shadow and forgiven himself for his suicide. Their transition is a joyful reunion, marking the end of their earthly struggles and the beginning of a new, limitless existence. The nature of the Light includes:

• An overwhelming sense of unity with the entire universe.
• The complete absence of fear, pain, and earthly limitations.
• The understanding that physical death is merely an illusion.

An eternal legacy. Shari's story ends with a message of hope for the living, urging them not to fear death but to cherish their lives. Through her brother's sleeping mind, she leaves behind a written record of her journey, ensuring she will not be forgotten. Her final realization is that she is more alive than ever, dancing on moonbeams in a realm of eternal light.