Some friends are more memorable than others, such as Steven and Linda. After the Priest gave Steven his last rites, he continued to live. And not until decades later, we understood why.

Excerpt: "Mother snapped her fingers. 'Get down on your knees,' she said while pointing to the floor. We knew she meant it by the stern look on her face. In her bedroom, we gathered closer together in front of the Virgin Mary and quickly kneeled. She lit the candle beside the statue, performed the sign of the cross, immediately knelt next to us, and said, 'Keep in mind what I told you: each time you remember a person who has passed on, their spirit reads your thoughts. He's close to death, but to help save him, we want God to hear our loud prayers . . . . and that will shower us with hope.'"