Music revealed to Spurger woman in a shot to the heart.

Byline: Jamie Reid

Jul. 9--After accidentally shooting herself in the heart with a nailgun two years ago, Joy Wiggins said she took a 15-minute trip to a heavenly place where music seemed to welcome her to the promised land. The devout Wiggins, 55, of Spurger, struggled for months to remember the song she heard there. Two months ago, while thinking of her ailing 94-year-old mother, Wiggins sat at her piano and stared at decorative wooden angels on top. And, perhaps in whispers from seraphim, she remembered. The song "was given to me to help her," Wiggins said of her mother, Bonnie Ree Cummings Puckett, who passed away June 19.

Wiggins, a coding supervisor at Christus St. Elizabeth Hospital, initially recorded the song without lyrics three days later and took it to her mother's bedside. The elderly woman, who suffered with pneumonia and renal failure, described the gentle tune as "beautiful," said Wiggins. The mother and daughter, plus Wiggins' 51-year-old sister Latrelle Lindon, listened to the recording over and over and discussed lyrics. God, they said, inspired them to give words to the song. Lindon heard "joyous homecoming." Wiggins heard "child of mine." "It was like the music spoke to us," Lindon said. "God was giving us all a little piece of the vision." Lindon pieced the words together, and by morning, with the help of God and her family, had created "Crossing Over," a ballad about the joy of entering heaven.

It goes in part: There's a knowing in the Spirit, of a place of perfect rest Where the soul in peace rejoices, and the heart's completely blessed. Wiggins believes heaven is full of music. Many of the beautiful songs on Earth come from beyond the pearly gates -- whispers from angels, she said."I don't see how there can be such beautiful words to songs without some divine intervention," she said. This family of nine siblings -- plus about 40 grandchildren, about 40 great-grandchildren and a handful of great-great-grandchildren -- are all musical, said Lindon, an elementary school secretary in Huntsville. "It's a big, old choir," she said. "We are as comfortable singing as talking."

The song was sung at the matriarch's funeral -- also the annual St. Elizabeth talent show and some local churches. Wiggins, who said she felt at peace while her heart stopped beating on Oct. 11, 2003, has shared it with many friends who are afraid of death. There is no need to be scared, she sings to them: When my life on Earth is ended, a new life will then begin And a crown I have awaiting, an inheritance with Him. The song was copyrighted in June, set to orchestra music and put on CDs, which the sisters plan to send to Christians radio stations. The song is not yet for sale. The Internet radio station "The Gospel Hiway" (http://www.thegospelhiway.org) has four of Lindon's songs on rotation right now, she said. She wants "Crossing Over" to get airplay next. It can help so many people accept death, the sisters said. "It's a message from someone who has already been there," Lindon said. "It's not a sadness, but a rejoicing. You are going to meet the Lord. That's a pretty big message": What a joyous homecoming to approach the Heavenly throne. And be met with arms wide open, child of mine you're welcome home. jreid@beaumontenterprise.com

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Beaumont Enterprise, Texas

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