23 Dates with My Dead Dad
by Corey McAuliffe and Spirit

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What if death is not an ending, but a doorway to a more profound connection? When Corey McAuliffe’s father died, she thought their cherished monthly dates would end forever. But when the number 23 began appearing everywhere—on receipts, clocks, and even trail markers—Corey realized her father was still reaching out. What followed was a journey unlike anything she could have imagined. Through unexpected signs, quiet spiritual practices, and moments of startling synchronicity, Corey discovered a way to keep the conversation going with her dad—whether on nature hikes, winding city streets, or road trips that felt guided by something more than chance. Along the way, she faced the challenges of a pandemic, a PhD defense, and a life-altering diagnosis, each moment further illuminated by her father’s presence and wisdom from beyond the veil. From unraveling questions she’d carried for her entire life to finally tracing her family’s roots in Ireland, Corey’s story is one of self-discovery, wonder, and healing. With warmth, humor, and unflinching honesty, 23 Dates with My Dead Dad invites us to see grief not as a final goodbye, but as an opportunity to love and listen to our departed loved ones in new, unexpected ways.

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“This book doesn’t just talk about grief, it invites it to dinner, laughs with it, argues with it, and loves it anyway.” — Jonni Gray, PhD Transpersonal Psychologist & Soul-Based Grief Companion “A genuine page-turner, I devoured this book in one sitting. Anyone who loves a twisting tale about a woman’s spiritual quest will enjoy the journey.” — Carmen Spagnola Author of The Spirited Kitchen and Founder of The Numinous Network “With this book, Corey elegantly reveals the sacredness of everyday life, in simple and intimate ways.” — Shannon Waters, MD Public Health Physician and Author of Coming Together: Journeys of the Water Cycle

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Corey McAuliffe never imagined that her father’s death would lead to conversations beyond this life—but grief has a way of rewriting everything. Called by Spirit—and by her dad—to write 23 Dates with My Dead Dad, Corey discovered a deeper calling to share her experiences, turning her own healing journey into a heartfelt exploration of presence, compassion, and the unseen threads that keep us connected. A storyteller at heart with a PhD in public health, Corey blends evidence-based insight with the raw, lived wisdom that comes from navigating life’s most difficult moments. From the loss of her father to a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, Corey learned that healing isn’t about “bouncing back” or returning to who we once were, but about learning to stand in the tender, transformative space of who we are becoming—who we are meant to be. With more than two decades of experience in global and community health, mental health, and disability research, Corey is now an adjunct faculty member at the University of British Columbia, an instructor at Pacific Coast University, and a research associate with both the Canadian Mental Health Association BC Division and the National Institute for Disability Management and Research. Born in Portland, Oregon, and now living in Vancouver, British Columbia, Corey continues to explore the sacred spaces between science and spirit, past and present, grief and love. Connect with Corey at www.coreymcauliffe.com or on Instagram @23_dates.

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Contributors

Author

Corey McAuliffe

Author

Spirit