Greetings Cairde:
I started the "Orbs of Hope & Joy" to encourage all to share those moments, incidents, and sheer miracles we all experience on a daily basis. I am breaking my own precedent and sharing a moment that happened to me on July 16, 2009, that was so remarkable Raphael said this is where it needed to be seen.
|
I woke up around 5:30 a.m. on the morning of July 16th (yes I am a early riser). As I began the task of preparing the morning coffee and chatting it up with the animals, I sent a shout-out to my Mom. It was my Mother's birthday; she is 80 years old. Now, while the body she came with on this specific journey is no longer, she is still going full-throttle. In fact she is telling me, in no uncertain terms, to let you know she is more like 32, that was a good year.
Now back to the Orb. While pouring my first cup of coffee I said, "Mom can we work with butterflies today? As a message you are with us and celebrating your birthday, butterflies will be the sign". So I went about my day doing the normals chores, etc..
Unbeknownst to me, my brother John stopped by our parent's grave around 9 a.m. to send birthday wishes and leave her a beautiful single yellow rose. After he set it down, a few moments later 3 small baby-size butterflies came and placed themselves ever so gently on the rose to look straight at him with quiet intent. Then, as quickly as they came, they left.
| |
| Fast-forwarding to me; it is now close to 1 p.m. I was in the car pulling out of the driveway to start an errand run, when turning my head I spotted out of the driver's side window the largest Monarch Butterfly. Rolling down the window I said, "Happy Birthday Mom. If you do not mind, could you just give me one more butterfly sign?" (I was unaware at the time of John's experience.) I then proceeded to run errands and get the strawberry sprinkle donut, which had become her all-time favorite during the last two years (replacing the chocolate-glazed). I purchased two. One I ate in her honor, the other was for her.
Approaching her grave I felt a great sense of calm and peace. It was a terribly humid day and the sun was beating down and it felt like 110 degrees. As I placed the Dunkin Donut Bag on her grave next to the yellow rose I felt coolness there. I had to smile. Mom really loved air conditioning.
|
| I went on chatting with her, wishing her a Happy Birthday, and thanking her for the amazing Monarch Butterfly. As I was speaking with her, it was in a total conversational style where one could inject opinions. I began to notice that when I was expressing something, or asking if I was on the right track, the donut bag started to vigorously moving up and down, in fact it continued 'till I acknowledged her "yes". Continuing my conversation, the movement of the bag was a constant up and down for yes, and sliding sideways for no, or in this case, "LET IT GO !!" In case you are wondering, I looked all around and nothing was moving. There was no breeze what-so-ever present. Just that magical bag Mom decided was her vehicle of expression.
Just as I was about to leave a beautiful baby-type yellow butterfly with pink and blue flew onto the yellow rose, then touched the donut bag looked me straight in the eyes for about a minute and then literally vanished.
|
After leaving the cemetery I had oe more stop at the bank drive - thru. As I waited for the teller to send back the tube, looking up, and about 100 feet directly in front of me, was one of my mom's favorite doctors. He took care of her the last 5-6 years of her life and she really loved his sensitive, caring nature. Many of you may not know my mom was an RN her entire life and was rather opinionated on doctors.
As I observed him walking by, there was my mom behind him. This was a perfect birthday for her; a rose, a donut, and touching back to the healing profession, spending time with a doctor she truly admired.
Wow, what a day!! It truly inspired me. I hope my sharing this highly intimate moment will have inspired you. Take not one second for granted. Really make it a priority to be present at all times and to enjoy the miracle of life.
Angel Blessings
Susan Lynne
|
|
The next time I get an angel's caution, I will be in the moment and listen.
You never know what each day brings. That is the glorious gift life gives us. June 19th started out (or so I thought) like any ordinary day. There were the normal day to day activities of; getting up, morning chores, work, and, last but not least, heading off to my evening classes.
I had enough time before classes started to take a walk. Walking as St. Augustine said, "Is the way to solve all problems". At that time I would often walk to feel the joy and to clear the daily cobwebs. However, as I got out of the car I felt something. Turning around, I noticed a man sitting nearby and I felt a sudden surge of caution. I am someone who has worked hard to give people the benefit of the doubt, so I brush that instant blink-instinct aside and proceed to place my purse in the trunk of my car.
Upon returning from my walk, I discover that my car had been damaged, broken into, and yes, you guessed it, my purse was gone. At that moment I was in shock, for how could this happen? This is not how I live my life. Why would this happen too me?
I went about the normal procedure of calling the police and, let's just say, I was not their top priority. I waited and waited for, what seemed to me, to be forever. An officer did take a report, but it was more or less like I was giving a grocery list order. I did not experience the empathy and outrage that I felt this incident warranted. I kept asking why they did not dust the car for prints? Why did it take so long to respond so that it would be useless to check for prints?
Why did this happen? What lesson did the Universe put before me? A strange moment in time; this nameless thief and I crossed paths and what was I to learn, or more important, was he?
You see my purse carried EVERYTHING of importance to me. Seriously, all my pictures, birth certificates, mementos, irreplaceable items whose true value is measured in heart and memory. As I thought back, I must admit my angels did give me a caution and, not being fully in the moment, I did not heed. Then suddenly it dawned on me that I am a very neat, orderly, individual. I pride myself on that. The person who stole my purse and violated my property, is spiritually, as well as in other aspects, living in lack, chaos, disorder.
I know for sure that my loss was a lesson. As he viewed my property, seeing how one should live their life, I know he feels some remorse and regret. While my loss of property was of sentimental value, and I am sure will not be returned, it can never be taken from my heart and spirit.
That day put it all in perspective; as long as I live in joy and wonder and value my life, no one, no incident, even government can ever take what is so deeply inside my spirit, life, and joy. A last thought; the next time I get the angel's "caution" warning, I will be in the moment and listen.
Shared by Rosa
|
Getting in the Zone
I worked for 5 months to reach a goal and I simply did not make it. I was so disappointed I cried. Then I brushed myself off and got back to being positive about my future. After all, when one door closes, another one opens, right? Maybe not as SOON as we'd like, but then it takes time to prepare for what is to come.
If you haven't heeded the lessons you are supposed to master BEFORE you arrive at your next destination, you will keep seeing them over and over till you 'get it'. You must clear out the cobwebs in the'house' of your soul to let the light in, right? That is what I learned. :) And here is how it happened.
I had a hunch, an off-the-wall interest in radio or communication that drove me to go deeper in exploring it. I did not know ANYONE in the business of radio except a former college boyfriend who long ago took me to a station where he worked night shifts. I never thought much about it, I even fell asleep under the console while he finished his shift. But years later, here I was finding my way back into something that now I felt very passionate about. Communicating thoughts and ideas that I would like to hear and share and don't see anywhere else. I read once that when you are dissatisfied with something, YOU can do something about it - no matter what it is. Anyway, with my periodic spiritual guidence from Susan, I feel I am closer and closer to bigger things happening for me on the air. :)
The point is, STAY POSITIVE. Even if it is a very small thing.... you don't have to be 'stepford wife' happy (an old disturbing movie), but find SOMETHING to get excited about and that will lead you to something ELSE to get excited about! Here is an example - One day, my son asked me to color with him. I was not so inspired to draw and when the time came I felt suddenly 'tired' .... really tired. But then I thought, hey, here I am waiting for my career dreams to come to me, I've done my legwork and my son is not going to ask me to color forever. NOW is the time to get off the couch and just do the FUN thing. Something inside me burst when we were sitting there coloring on an ordinary day, and enjoying each others' artwork. I could NOT wait to color again! After I took my son to school, I came home and colored away on a new drawing pad I got for something else - WHOA! Before I knew it, I was in the 'ZONE' where time flys by and you are having a ball doing whatever you are doing. :) I did several drawings that day and feel that maybe I can license them and share them with others. I always thought the art I loved was somthing done by other people - I couldn't do it but now whammo, I'm doing it! I have another thing to be passionate about. Now, go and see what ordinary thing can become that great fun thing for you!
Shared by Marsea
|
Release
My husband, Jerry, died in February two years ago. We have 4 children and 3 grandchildren. Driving home from work one day in November that year, I thought it would be good for all of us to have a special, short service at the grave site on All Souls Day. I knew exactly how I wanted it to be and I asked the kids to please set aside that day & time, which they did, (except our daughter & grandson in Baltimore were unable to attend). I did not let them know what I was inspired to do. I knew how hard it was going to be for us all, but knew my idea would help us. I asked my priest if he would do a small service and as most people know that day is set aside to bless the graves at cemetaries, so he was happy to do so.
I ordered a bouquet of white helium balloons which I hid in my trunk. Placing a lighted, white candle on the ground, we all gathered around for the service. Father Thomas had a special prayer and read scripture and after closing in prayer, I asked them to please wait right there. I took the white balloons from my car and gave one to each of them and gave two to Fr. Thomas, so he could represent my daughter and grandson who could not be there (except in thought & spirit). I had us all stand in a circle, explaining to them that on the count of "3" from me, we each were to release our balloon at the same exact time. I asked them to "release" all their thoughts/prayers & feelings at the same time we release the balloons to Jerry. I told the 4 & 5 year old grand-daughters that we were sending our love & prayers to Papaw when we release these balloons. They wanted to know if he would get them and I assured them he would. Upon my count of "3", all were released at the same time. The most moving & amazing part of this story is that as we all know when balloons go into the air in a group, one or two or more always drift away from the others. Those 11 balloons stayed in a complete circle until they drifted completely out of sight. It was an experience that is inexplicable. It helped us all and I think moreso, the boys. Each of my sons said it was a wonderful idea and a beautiful, moving experience. It made all of us feel better and even Fr. Thomas thought it was a great idea and he had not seen that done before.
My daughter in Baltimore shared the same experience with her husband's family and my grandson, the following year when my son in law's father died. It really helped them also. I realize this story is too long, but I couldn't find a way to shorten it to give the full impact it had for all of us. I sincerely hope that some of you can find comfort and peace in such an experience or in whatever way it takes for you & your families to do so. We never get "over it", we just get "through it" and may you all be blessed in some way from my story of "Release" !!
Blessings & love in Christ
Shared by Dee
|
|
Stew's Wedding Ring
It has been a little over 6 months since my husband Stew passed. As we all know some days are better than others. This particular day was an especially extra red energy day. I was at the local Kinko's having copies made when out of the corner of my eye I spotted my car being hooked up to be towed away.
I rushed out calling out to the tow truck driver to stop. He said if I gave him $25 on the spot he would unhook my vehicle, this would be a one time courtesy. I was so panicked that in my rush to get the money I heard Stew's Wedding Ring (which was too big) fall off my finger and hit the ground. I was sad. I looked for the ring everywhere within the vicinity, it was just gone. Then I thought maybe Stew was trying to tell me I needed to let go.
A couple days later as I was opening the bread drawer (I love bread) low and behold there in the bottom of the bread drawer was Stew's Ring!! I know he retrieved it when it dropped and gave it back to me placing it in an area where it would not only be safe but I would surely find it. It is interesting, it being in the bread drawer, bread being the symbol of life.
I know for sure that Stew was telling me to let go of my sadness and grab all the gusto of life and while he is in another dimension he is still and will always be a part of my life's journey.
Jan in Alexandria, Va
|
|
