Butterflies, dragonflies, red cardinals, flickering lights, random coins found, stopped clocks, and for my brother and I it was a cloud. Of course, the signs I mentioned are what some folks notice and/or find when a loved one has died. Those signs bring them much comfort.

When our hospitalized father took a turn for the worse, we rushed 40 minutes to the hospital to make it in time; however, that did not happen. He had already passed away. Our grief was strong, real, and we found ourselves struggling with  the reality of a parent gone from our lives. The two of us were quiet and really not a comfort to each other, wrapping our thoughts around our loss. The only solace was that we were together and wandering out of the hospital as if we were silent robots. Back in the car we headed for home, still no conversation. We entered a major highway just as the sun was trying to rise. The cloudless sky had a mere glimpse of light but was rather dark EXCEPT for the phenomenon we saw. To our left, the east, we saw a cloud formation, just “appear.” It was shaped exactly like a white dove in flight. We both saw it at the same time. We continued to drive and continued to be awestruck. At one point, my brother almost drove off the road we were so intent on watching this dove. The dove/cloud formation seemed to be following us. Ten minutes into this viewing, we simultaneously said, “Do you see that cloud?”  Up to this point there had been no conversation. Both of us acknowledged the cloud and again, at the same time, said, “It’s dad assuring us he is ok and with us.” The entire trip back home, forty minutes, the cloud shared our journey. Such a gift from a God who loves us unconditionally! Our mother was home, ill herself, and we babbled unstopping about dad’s death and our gift of peace from him. She smiled through her tears.

Later in the day, a meteorologist on the local television newscast, described a morning phenomenon of an odd cloud formation. Apparently, viewers had sent in photos of what appeared to be the only cloud in the sky and its bird-like shape. We could have told them it was our dad, at peace, and hovering over his children. God does that, too. He will hold you in the palm of His hand, keeping you close.  Feel His love, His gift to you. Be thankful, He sacrificed His Son for you. May you have His peace.

Jill