Ever since Hope left for her eternal life in heaven, we have been blessed with many signs from her. I am a firm believer that if you slow down the pace of life and open your eyes to the world around you you will see signs of comfort from above. It has been different things God has sent to us. From the kitten Pudge that never left Hope’s side and made a few visits at the hospital, who’s gray stripes on his left side spell the word HOPE, to redheaded angel ornaments named Hope, to rainbows, on special occasions, to letters written by strangers that have met Hope the angel. And Butterflies…mostly yellow ones, but on occasion the burnt orange monarch that reminds me so much of Hope’s hair color. Butterflies after all mean new life. So how fitting that the butterflies that pass inches from my car windshield to the ones that flutter around me as I walk, let me know the peace that Hope has that “new life and not to be sad.” Hope loved Holden beach, on the Labor Day after her passing in 2004, we went for the weekend. I have been going to that beach ever since I was a small child and it continued with Stuart and our family. Never have I experience anything like that weekend on the beach. We came over the dunes and saw yellow butterflies every where. It was a windy day at the beach but they lit on our chairs and hovered around for a while. The next day they were no where in sight. We made the comment that Hope had brought her friends to see her family and visit one of her most favorite spots. One January 4th 2005, one year after Hope’s passing, we were very sad, but knew that Hope would not want us that way. So we decided to go to her favorite restaurant to eat. As we were passing our church a yellow butterfly flew near the window for all to see. Did I say it was JANUARY? One time Stuart, Holly and Matt were playing golf and following them was a yellow butterfly, just as Stuart was about to swing it flew by him, he hit the ball on a par 3 and guess what!!? HOLE IN ONE!!.
Many times I have been sad and there is a sign. A rainbow on her first birthday that she was not with us. It looked as if a child had painted it, not big, not perfect but maybe God had let her paint it that day. It had not rained any. We later learned that one of Hope’s friends, little sister, had a dream that God had let Hope paint a rainbow.
There are many more stories like these but you get the picture, either you think I am a grieving Mother who is seeing things, or a true believer that God never leaves your side and will find ways to comfort you by his grace, and mercy.
We were on a Make-A-Wish cruise in March 2004 just after her death…we were out to sea about 100 miles or more. The national MAW folks asked Shelby and I to tell the story of Hope and the 155 wishes granted in Charlotte…as we were telling the story, a seagull flew alongside the window of the bow of the ship where we were meeting…the ship was steaming along at 20 knots or so and the bird was flying right alongside, very close to the window looking in. As we spoke, I finally made a comment about the signs we had been getting and asked everyone to look outside at the bird. Remember, we are WAY out to sea. The bird continued to look in as we spoke about Hope. When we finished, the bird flew off.
Joe Milazzo of the Wilkes Barre, PA area says it is still one of the most phenomenal things he has ever seen.
We didn’t see another seagull the whole trip.
