I took this photo earlier in the week as it was time to relocate the items to make room for the halloween decorations. I am late, and we are having a party Saturday! Since I mentioned the four leaf clover in my last post (seen framed below) I wanted to tell you about another sign.
The two ceramic pieces are from Lisa. The rose arrived last Christmas, and the Deer Rider arrived in August. It's one of the most extraordinary and unexpected gifts I've ever gotten. You know when someone Gets you? I have a precious story I have only shared with a few friends. Lisa not only listened to me, she heard me. And she cradled my tale, held it tight with both hands, and made it real. She validated me by sharing some of her beliefs. And then the deer sculpture arrived - reminding me of the story every day.
The day after Shannon left with the angels, I felt her presence. It was her, and yet not. It was most definitely a moment where I felt a filling of love energy. That's the only way I can explain it. It's like she sent it. Deliberately. It was a connection. A time-stands-still experience. Graham and Fallon were with me and saw it so I know I wasn't imagining it. We were in my parent's backyard. Deer are often seen grazing in the grassy opening to the woods. That day there was a young deer – no spots, no antlers. Just a young deer, alone. She stopped and looked up at us. She stared. She stayed. And stayed. I turned and asked Graham "do you think it's her?" because she just was so still and watching us. I blew her a kiss and she lifted her leg. I'd never seen that. Never. I called to my nieces to come out and look. Even the door opening and the girls coming out didn't frighten her away. She was about 60 feet from us. When she heard my brother's dog she started slowly toward the woods, keeping her head turned towards us. I felt she was looking right at me. A wave of peace come over me. A calm. A love energy filled me because I knew it was a sign. It wasn't until a day later that I shared the story with Andy, Shannon's husband, and while telling the story we saw a sign. A different one – one for him. But we knew.
Imagine this: I am opening a box. It's filled with bubble wrap. I clip the tape and carefully pull away the layers. I'm holding an item in my hands and before I peel away the last of the wrap I see two warm dark eyes looking at me. I burst into tears. I am brought to my knees. I am dialing frantically to call Lisa. I see the girl rider. She reminds me of little Shannon. My favorite memory of her as a toddler was getting her up from her naps. She would cling to me in a sleepy drape with wet ringlets from being in her mist tent. I loved that she would snuggle into me and let me carry her around. Sleepy baby. And there she is, my dear with the deer.
I share this with you because I believe in signs. I know some of you believe too. I think when you trust, and believe, and live with an open heart and open mind and open eyes you will see the signs.
Lisa Hoffman's blog is HERE. And ceramic artist Caroline Douglas's blog is HERE. There is another deer/sign story that Caroline shared with Lisa that makes this gift even more cool. It's amazing what we learn when we are willing to share our stories.