Messages from Mom 06.2023

Sweet friends, I originally wrote this post in my journal and later shared it with the writing group PC and I have joined. Been wanting to share it here with you. And today is finally the day I do.

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Messages from Mom 06.2023

Are you there, Mom? Right here. Right now. Looking over my shoulder as I write this?

I asked you to send me a sign that you are here or out there somewhere – wherever Heaven is. A sign that you are aware of us and able to see or “see” what is happening in our lives. And you came through with flying colors.

My Go-To Girl

When you were here on earth in physical form, you were my go-to girl. As I told Lauren and Brennyn this week, when life gave me lemons, I didn’t make lemonade. I called YOU. So, over the last few days as we have been trying to process our latest hiccups, I have so wanted to reach for the phone to call you. Not to necessarily hear your voice but you had a way of assuring me that it was okay to be sad, overwhelmed, angry and worried. And that made me feel “okay.”

So, I asked for a sign, prayed for a sign from you or from you through God. Clearly, I don’t know how signs work but I do understand the chain of command in Heaven. And when I was asking for a sign from you, I was really asking God to let me know both He and you are there. Or here. You know what I mean.

You’ve always been an overachiever, Mom, so it shouldn’t surprise me in the least that you came through with a sign in a big way. And, of course, God is GOD. There’s nothing He can’t do.

First Sign

The first sign didn’t exactly come to me. Although, I guess it kind of came through me, however that works. I mailed a package for Sharon’s birthday at the postal annex. The fellow asked me to look over the label he printed for Sharon’s address but I never noticed the return address. A few days later when Sharon received the box, she sent me a photo of the bunny I had sent her acknowledging its receipt and as a first thank you. Sharon always sends formal thank you notes, though, too.

Then she sent a photo of the address label. And your name, Mom, appeared above the return address, which wasn’t my address at all but the address for the postal annex. Kind of strange. That was sign one. You can see Mom’s name, Nira Roberts, where I circled it in pink. Terrible photo. I am sorry.

Sign Number Two

A few days later, I was pulling into the Hobby Lobby parking lot when Brennyn called to Facetime me. I pulled into a parking spot, answered her Facetime call and we began chatting when I realized the media screen in my car showed the phone call to be coming from my own phone number and not Brennyn’s. And Mom, your name showed as the person calling me. So, it looked as if you, Mom, were calling me from my own phone number. Maybe Heaven’s phone lines are unlisted.

I took a picture of the screen with my phone and sent it to Brennyn – and everyone else I know – but realized there was glare from the sun on the screen so I turned the car around into another parking space facing away from the late afternoon sun. When I looked at the screen again, to take a better photograph, I was dumbfounded to see not only my phone number, and your name as the person who had placed the call or Facetimed me, but there on the screen was a picture of YOU!!

A tiny head shot of you, Mom. Wearing one of your favorite Alfred Dunner outfits. An old one. I had given you years ago at the beginning of your clothes horse days after Daddy died. You were always quick to say that even your older Alfred Dunner pieces washed beautifully and looked brand new.

I snapped another photograph thinking this sign could only be momentary. But it remained there the whole conversation. I think not only were you there for me at that moment, Mom, but you also enjoyed seeing Brennyn and watching Declan on the phone screen as we Facetimed. Even though you never met him in person, you loved Declan and loved his big Elvis hair.

Message Three

I was feeling pretty reassured by now. Pretty loved and acknowledged, like you and God were both letting me know, in no uncertain terms that you guys, You Guys are walking with me, with us as we navigate whatever is coming down our path.

The third sign came on your birthday, Mom. I had not shed a tear since Paul’s diagnosis but Tuesday, o3.21.2023 – your birthday – was hard. I woke up sad, wept in the shower, cried at the birthday Facebook posts Kevin and Valerie had written to you. Put together one of my own through my tears. Then I started work on a blog post about the impact of scent on my life. A post which took on a life of its own when I started working on it.

I had a tab open for Pinterest and happened to look at it as I sat down to write. There among all the pretty images was a pin of your favorite fragrance, Mom. Jean Nate after-bath body splash. My blog post wrote itself from there.

Last But Not Least

The final message from you came 2 days after your birthday on 03.23.2023 - love all those 3s. When I was writing about the messages above that you’ve sent, Mom, you sent one more. I was working on my blog post when my Google Nest started playing this song, unprompted.

The lyrics are so sweet.

I have a dream I hope will come true
That you’re here with me and I am here with you
I wish that the earth, sea, and the sky up above-a
Will send me someone to lava

Oh, they were so happy to finally meet above the sea
All together now their lava grew and grew
No longer are they all alone with aloha as their new home
And when you go and visit them this is what they sing

I have a dream I hope will come true
That you will grow old with me, and I will grow old with you
We thank the earth, sea, and the sky we thank too

I lava you
I lava you
I lava you

While I was (and still am) very anxious and concerned about what our future holds in regard to PC’s health and some other issues, God has allowed you, Mom, to remind me that I am not alone.

Church Message

The 2 Sundays leading up to PC’s surgery last Wednesday, 05.31.2023, our pastor spoke about overcoming fear. The messages were perfect. God sent. Some of the verses highlighted those Sundays were:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

and

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7)

I can’t say that I haven’t been scared about PC’s surgery and about some other things that are making our life pretty stressful right now, but I am so glad to be reminded that I never walk alone. Here are the notes from last Sunday’s service, which we missed. Just in case you need a reminder, too. And I will read them over for my devotional tomorrow.

Your Turn

Have you ever asked for a sign or message from someone you loved on the other side? Or maybe you have asked God directly to send you a sign. I have done that, too, and He let me know He was there in no uncertain terms. So thankful for these messages from mom.

We meet with Paul’s urologist on Friday. Hoping to get good news about the biopsy done on his prostate. We know that the lymph nodes that were removed and biopsied were cancer-free. He is doing remarkably well considering he had major surgery just a few days ago. He came home on Saturday and has a pretty good routine for sitting, bathing, and managing his catheter. Thank you for your continued prayers and support.

P.S. I found a quarter on Saturday. We all know what that means. Twenty-five reminders that God is with me, God is with us. Thank you, Mom and thank You, God.

Hugs and kisses,