Believe it or Not
I have
always believed in an afterlife, but since my husband’s death seven years ago,
I have come to believe that those who go before us can somehow communicate with
us from the other side. They do so by
sending signs, reminders that jog our memories and bring thoughts to our minds. I’d say, however, you’d have to be receptive
to these signs in order to interpret them in this way. For example, many people identify with loved
ones by sighting cardinals. The saying
goes: “When cardinals appear, angels are near”.
A cardinal is considered a sign from heaven. In the same way, others see dragonflies or
butterflies that symbolize to them that their deceased loved ones are nearby. I myself have encountered bright red cardinals
that fly in front of my car windshield on countless occasions since my husband
passed away. Each time, I consider it a
greeting from him. I also have found
dimes on the ground in parking lots. I’ve
found feathers in my yard. I’ve heard “our
song”, "Walking on Sunshine", on the radio when I least expected it. In fact, on Thanksgiving Day, I heard an old
song called “Wind Beneath my Wings” that was played at our wedding. I had not heard it in years and apparently my
son had an oldies station playing in the background during our meal. Today, however, I had a sign that was
incredible to me.
I had gone
to my “happy place” which is the local thrift store. I can wander around there for hours, as it is
relaxing to me. It is nostalgic and it
takes me back to a simpler time somehow.
I see things others have discarded that are reminiscent of my childhood. I’m always searching for a vintage
treasure. Also, the music they play in
that store is so calming and uplifting. Today, I looked mostly at old books and
old Christmas decorations and ornaments.
I found myself completely lost in another world. When I go there, my mind does not race, and
my thoughts are on nothing else except the looking. I found a few books and a wire basket and
headed to the cashier. At the checkout
line, there were more ornaments that I sorted through. As I left the building, I glanced at my watch
and could not believe how much time had actually passed. When I got back to my car door, I noticed
that an ornament that I did not purchase was attached to the bottom of my
sweater with its wire hanger. I remember
seeing it on the rack but did not choose to buy it. It was a clear plastic oval embossed with “Merry
Christmas and 1983”. I closed my car
door and went back into the store to return it.
The attendant at the door took it from me and thanked me for bringing it
in. He said “oh, it’s trying to sneak
its way out of here”! I wish I had
purchased it but didn’t want to stand in line again. You see, 1983 was the year that I met my
husband. I took that as a sign that he
was with me. I mean, 1983 was 42 years
ago. What are the odds that an ornament
that old would coincidentally get attached to my sweater? It is circumstances like this one that make
me a believer that he is making his presence known. At least that’s what I choose to believe.
Tammy Harvey
